Hi,

I am building a Point Bennet (18' S&G sea kayak) and was going to laminate venerrs onto the hull (to make it pretty!) but have decided to go with a painted exterior, as this will be a kayak used more for serious trips (well, to me) and overnighters, so for safety, etc I wanted to paint in light colours (as I paddle where there's lots of powerboats).

So, the obvious method is to 'glass then paint with white (for example). But I wondered if anyone has used gelcoat - the coloured epoxy coating used as the outer layer in 'glass/carbon/kevlar production boats? This is essentially an epoxy compund which can be coloured. Fors a skin over the glass.

Does this just add uneccessary weight? Or due to the stiffness of gelcoat would it crack when applied to ply due to the ability of the wood to bend/absorb impacts? Not worried about the upkeep (except cracking) as I repair 'glass boats too.

Is there much difference between this and a painted surface? Could I apply the gelcoat as a layer directly to the wood, then 'glass over it? Would I want to?!

And, if gelcoat isn't a viable option, my secondary question is - whilst 2-pack paint is (apparently) harder to apply, is it a much better/tougher outer coating than standard marine enamel?

Thanks - apologies for all the questions at once! Just wondering is gelcoat is possible & worth it.

Regards,
Darren
Melbourne, Australia