Epoxy bonds better to wood and over all makes a stronger boat. Polyester is also somewhat permeable to water which can cause problems if left in the water for a long time. If you are really concerned about every $, polyester will work fine. A polyester boat is better than no boat if you can't afford the epoxy. It is not as good and most of the time epoxy is worth the extra money, but polyester will produce a nice boat which will probably last you a long time if well cared for.

: Don't mean to open a can-o-worms but I gotta ask.....why epoxy instead of the
: much cheaper poly resin? I have built four s&g kayaks using top dollar
: epoxy and think I might try using the poy resin for my next project.
: Doesn't make sense that nearly all production boats are made using poly
: resin not epoxy, but yet most home builders all use the high dollar epoxy.
: comments.........