: I have some questions before I order supplies for my stich and glue.

: 1) How much of the cock pit is usually glassed. Just the bottom or up the
: sides. If I glass the inside of cockpit w/ 4 oz. glass, can I skip the
: tape on the seems through the cockpit section.

I would suggest glassing all of the inside bottom from bow to stern. I went up past the chines and didn't use tape on the inside chines.

: 2) How much silica and wood flour would be sufficient for one kayak. 1/2
: gallon each??? Is silica used for fillets?

Hard-chine or multi-chine? It makes a difference.

: 3) How does that 3.75 oz. satin glass from Raka compare to a 6 oz. std. weave
: cloth.

I used multiple layers of 3.25 oz. satin glass on one 6 oz. on the other. I plan on using the 3.25 again on my next kayak. If you are good you can lay 2 layers of 3.25 oz. satin that ends up lighter than one layer of 6 oz. standard. This is is you just use enough epoxy to fill the weave. Layed straight 2 layers of the 3.25 should be stronger than one of the 6. If you offset it by 45 degrees you GREATLY reduce weak spots. Under the cockpit on my brother's kayak I layed one at 0 degrees one at 33 degrees and one at 66 degrees.

The 3.25 oz. satin is very thin, but dense. It does not take much epoxy to wet out, but does require that you work the epoxy into the cloth. Raka epoxy works well for this, as it is quite thin.

: 4) How comfortable are those Thermarest mats that Pygmy sells?

I had troubles with my thermarest at first. After 20 minutes of paddling, both legs were quite numb. I installed a hand carved minicell seat that I can sit in all day and I don't have to worry about slipping around in the seat. I use the thermarest in my Skinny Walrus with a minicell wedge under the front. This helps make it more comfortable.

Cascade Designs makes a thicker Thermarest Touring Seat that looks more comfortable.

: Thanks to all that reply.
: Sincerely