I’m finally able to resume work on a cedar strip yak I haven’t touched for a few years (head hung, sheepish expression) and am wondering if there are any special precautions I should take before glassing on top of existing, well cured glass and epoxy.

The deck and hull are glassed and the inside seam is done. I’ve sanded to 120, and think I’m ready to do the outside seam. Will it really integrate smoothly into the existing glass?
Also, I’d like to recess my cockpit opening before building the combing. I know, I know, I’m a little out of order, but here I am. Any reason I can’t just cut back (glass and wood), hot glue in the recess, tack in the combing and glass the whole thing, maybe a couple of layers on the underside? I guess I'm worried about the strength in this high-stress area.

Thanks for any tips out there…