Thor,

In Nick's build book he talks about the different types of lay ups. From lightweight to expedition lay up. First you need to determne the typical use of your kayak.

I have built a lightweight lay up by putting one layer on the inside and outside of the deck and then beef up around the cockpit and seating area with bias cut strips.

After applying a layer on the outside and inside of the deck, I place a layer of bias-cut strips covering the cockpit recess (about an inch pass the recess on the deck) and up the cockpit risers (before the cockpit lip is made). I also add another bias cut strips ( about one inch wide on the deck) round the riser and up the cockpit lip. On the inside I cover the recess area and up the inside of the cockpit riser and cockpit lip. And then run another layer about inch around the inside of the cockpit hole and again up the inside of the cockpit riser and over the cockpit lip. So around the cockpit I have three layers, inside and outside.. First the total deck layer; Second, a bias cut layer covering the cockpit recess and up the cockpit riser; Third, I place another bias cut layer just round the cockpit area, covering about an inch on the deck and up the cockpit riser. I like to use a fiberglass fillet between the riser and the recess because it looks better, but you need to have tight and right fit of the risers glue to the recess.

I also placed a 4 inch bias cut strip across the deck behind the cockpit for added strength in sitting on the cockpit lip in the back.