Thanks again for the advice. I did the first coat of ZAR this afternoon and it looks pretty good. I will plan on four or so coats and then reassess. The yellow color looks nice next to the redwood frame.
This project has been such a joy and learning experience for me. I decided to try this before building my first stripper, and I'm glad I did. I learned about strongbacks, lofting, cutting with a jigsaw and using a soldering iron. It was great to do the sewing! It is so satisfying to see an almost completed kayak come from bits of wood and cloth and thread, and to think that it started from a blank piece of paper with numbers on it, in centimeters no less! ;-)
Besides thanking the Academy ;-), I would like to thank all of you who helped me on this journey, especially Dave Gentry. My numerous emails might have driven him and his friend off cruising to get away from internet connection!
Kyle