Randy-
I agree with your comment about the problem determining if CF cloth is wetted out completely with epoxy. CF 'loves' epoxy, but it's so shiny that it looks 'wet' anyway.
It's too late for your project, I think, but I always put a layer of glass cloth over the CF, and make sure that the epoxy has wetted out both the CF and the glass. I'm not sure how I could make that work over a large area like a hull, but it works well for smaller stuff like cockpit coamings.
The glass also gives a bit of protection against sanding into the CF.

You might think about adding a layer of light glass over the CF as protection, though I'm not sure it will help with the appearance issue you mentioned. CF is strong but not very 'rugged', I think.