Hi Ted,

I posted an answer a while back explaining how to make clear filler with only epoxy. The tip comes from System Three's "The Epoxy Book". Here goes...

The technique is to perform a partial cure before applying the glue by using an insufficient amount of hardener. This reaction produces a "thick" epoxy to which the balance of the required hardener is added when the gluing is to be done. The "thick" epoxy can be prepared a few days in advance, just be sure the partial cure is finished before mixing the rest of the hardener.

I find that the hard part is to mix every thing without mixing in too much air.

Bigbob

> I'm building a Chesapeake 17, my first boatbuilding project. I'm having
> far too much fun, but have made a few mistakes along the way that I am
> wiser for on my next kayak project. I'm ready to glass the hull but before
> I do I have a few questions that I need a sanity check on:

> Just how much "fair play" (tolerance) is permissible on the keel
> line. Any? I've read through the CLC materials and they speak about
> 1/8" as being acceptable on the straightness of the hull. I've got
> better than that. But what I do have is a 1/8" flat spot along the
> keel smack-dab in the middle of the hull. It tapers on both sides of this
> 1/8" flat spot approxmiately one foot in each direction, but the
> remainder of the keel appears as fair as it gets. Is this accceptable? I
> just didn't see it coming with all of the stitches in place. Once I had
> removed them and sanded the hull, the flat spot became evident.

> Will leaving the flat spot alone affect performance and stability or is it
> just an aesthetic thing? I've already accepted the fact that this is not a
> museum quality boat. I'm building it to spend as much free time on the
> water as possible and for all of the other reasons why anyone would build
> a wooden kayak. But I assume that if I do need to correct this flat spot
> by fairing the hull before I glass it, now is the time to make any
> corrections. Also, since I had hoped to finish the entire kayak in a clear
> finish, and if I do need to fill the flat spot, does anyone have a
> suggestion on how to "fair" the hull without then being forced
> to paint it due to the epoxy thickners needed, which are all opaque. I
> can't find anyone suggesting use of Cab-o-sil or other clear thickner for
> use as a fairing compound. Anyone that's been-there-done-that and has
> suggestions, will be greatly appreciated.