You friend is correct. You will probably end up sanding the entire boat and putting a coat of glass on it. You might get away with just a few coats of epoxy on the deck. Your sanding will tell you how much weather damage is there or if its just surface peeling. It might be an older Chesapeake when just seam tape was used and epoxy coated.

On Youtube you will find loads of videos on glassing stitch and glue kayaks. You can check this site for videos and other sites like Chesapeake Light Craft, Pigmy kayaks and others.