: Now there's an interesting idea! I think that that might be a place for
: production kayak makers to start with kits. They could sell a fiberglass
: or kevlar hull, and the materials to add a deck. This would give more wary
: builders the assurance of a true and fair hull with the beauty off a strip
: built wood deck. And it would be in the water as fast as a stitch and glue
: 'yak.

: I see a start-up here!

i remember seeing a composite yak that had relief swirls that went around or incorporated major components like hatches or cockpits (that i presume increased deck stifness). seemed to me at the time a natural to just not glass those areas and give a simple simple strip panel option than anyone here could do in just 2 evenings.

another production idea would be to just drop some or same large areas by 1/8" - 3/16"( and one layer glass only) and sell strips to lay in them w/ epoxy. the underside now is glassed, just add a little on top.

the other stupid idea is to take any production yak, random orbital sander down large bordered areas, by say 1/2 the glass thickness(doesn;t matter if you go thru some areas. and buy some real nice 1/16" veneer, lay down(easy to shape - prob just use scissors for the ends - like make large, cut to fit). 1 layer of 6oz over and you've got something real interesting all of a sudden.

would be best if the glass was originally all black or a real dk colour for eg. maybe could scuff up and pt w/ polyurethane or toned epoxy.

ideas anyway.