: To help protect against stumps and cypress knees here in FL, I want to
: strengthen the seams of the hull on the Wood Duck that I'm building. I
: have thought about using fiberglass tape or graphite.
: If I use tape, should I apply the tape first then epoxy it, and then the
: fiberglass sheet (4oz) over the tape or should I do it the other way
: around?
: Or..
: Do you think there is even a need to add extra glass?

: thanks
: Danny

The seams are the last place that need protecting compared to the open area between seams and keel. My $.02 is to paddle the heck out of it then repair as needed. I don't know the glass schedule for that kayak but lets say it's 6oz on both sides. If you want to reinforce beyond that for instances where the hull is half floating at a river bank and you're getting in/out where it's sitting on a sharp rock the greatest damage is where the greateast weight is resting and if the rock is under that weight. If the kayak and you are sitting on a rock that is 4' forward and you're sitting on the cockpit it's not that big of a deal. So imagine the hull AREA under the water that is around where you get in/out and add another patch of glass there. It could be a tapered egg shape piece of cloth. I don't see how submerged tree knees and trunks would be a problem unless you're getting out of the boat on top of them and your weight is concentrated in a few square inches.

Simply bumping up against or sliding over trees knees is no big deal,,sliding over barnacles and shells is a different thing. A narrow strip of tape down the keel will do nothing for real world wear.