: I don't need a super strong layup for the boat that I am finishing off and
: was wondering if I could get away with just taping the seams internally
: fore and aft of the cockpit and laying 6Oz cloth in the cockpit area
: without the tape.

We tape the keel and chine inside and out and that's it. Actually we cut cloth diagonally to make strips, don't proper tape. Done this way, the edges don't fray and you get maximum strength as all the strands go across the joins.

: The outside hull will be sheathed with 4oz cloth

Why? We never do. It just adds weight and makes repairs more difficult.

Remember that is the way I've been doing it since 1985. My partner's kayak is a decade old, no problems, she has had to varnish the deck again, that's a refit once every 5 years and yes, it did look like it really needed it but the previous varnishing was a bit thin. Use? We're just back from a 4 day winter trip so it gets regular all year use.

I've recently changed from my decade old kayak to the new one, mainly because it is a new design, the old one, tortured ply, glass only on the keel and deck/sides joins, will still get some use.

Alex