> I just finished glassing the hull of my Ches. 17LT. It went much better
> than I had expected (I had been dreading that one step) and only took 2
> hours. My question is: Is there any reason for me to run a strip of glass
> tape down the keel from stem to stern as added insurance against unforseen
> bumps? Will the benefit be worth the added time and potential frustration
> of sanding the "step" between the tape and the glass? Since my
> cellar temperature is around 55, the epoxy will still be tacky enough to
> add the tape tonight if it is worth it.

> Thanks for any opinions.

I built a Chesapeake 17 last winter and did not add a strip of glass tape on the keel. After a season of use, I've got a few dings on the keel that go through to the wood. I wish that I would have added a strip of tape. I'm building an Osprey standard now, and I did add the tape.