: your 2" tape will be sufficient, but it may be the most
: difficul to install. Strength and bonding area aren't really the
: issue. What you will be dealing with is trying to apply the tape
: to a complex curve while folding it in half lengthwise, as you
: struggle in a tight enclosure.

: Tapes are woven with the threads of the material going back and
: forth from edge to edge, giving a finished edge on each side.
: This is also called a selvedge edge. The weaving process makes
: the selvedge edges denser. They will be more difficult to fold
: and to stretch to get them to conform to complex shapes. Your
: 2" tape puts the left and right selvedge edges an inch
: closer together than your 3" tape. If you are going to use
: tape at all, try using both tapes on the outside of of the boat.
: Put it on dry, no resin or glue here, just maybe a few dabs of
: masking tape to hold the stuff temporarily in place. If you have
: no problem fitting it over the outside then you should be able
: to get it to make the same bends when it is installed on the
: inside.

: But I suspect you may have tried this already, and not liked the
: results--'cause you say you are using bias-cut fabric on the
: outside. The tape is woven "square". Bias-cut strips
: have the weave going at a 45 degree angle to the length of the
: strips, and the edges are not bound or woven together. They can
: move and the strips can be stretched to fit complex shapes.
: Once. Pull it out of shape and it is a mess trying to get it
: back to the shape it started out--so try not to tug on it as you
: install it.

: If you think that it is important to use bias-cut strips on the
: outside, then it will be equally important to use them on the
: inside. They'll fit into the seams better than woven tapes, and
: you'll be done faster. You can cut your bias strips 3"
: wide, and use some for the inside and some for the outside. Put
: the tapes away for another project.

: Just a thought

: PGJ

I agree, also most store bought tape will suck up gross quantities of resin, just not needed.

Bill H.