In the class I'm currently teaching we've had our first epoxy joint failure, actually two. The only changes I've made with this boat compared to others I've done is the location. It's being taught in a concession (resturant) at the local state park. The downside of using this place is since it's not being used in the off season (everything is frozen around here) the heat is turned way down after the class, to around 50 degrees. I'm thinking that this may well be the cause of the joint failures, too low of a curing temperature. Might be something to think about if you're also doing epoxy work in cooler temperatures.

The upside is that with my covering method, it's a SOF, the joints aren't critical after it's covered, the cover is plenty strong enough to hold everything in place.

If I were to do this again in the same shop space I think I'd add lashing to the joints just to make sure that they are strong enough, though finding a shop with warmer temps would eliminate the problem.

Bill H.