Chesapeake 17 Kayak - tidying up the side and bottom panels - January 26, 2015

As I mentioned in my last post I am a little leery of the butt joints I have created building the side and bottom panels. To give them more strength, until I can assemble the hull and hold it all together with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, I'm going to add thickened epoxy in the crack that is between the two pieces that form each panel.

I sanded the lettering off that indicated the wood was marine okoume, as it was stamped on. Then I used packing tape to mask both sides of the joint.

I thickened the epoxy with wood flower and cell-o-fill. The wood flour (very fine saw dust) is brown in color and when mixed into the clear epoxy, even with the white cell-o-fill, gives the mixture a nice brown color.

Before mixing (above).

After mixing, brown in color and with a mustard like consistency.

Then I applied the thickened epoxy to the butt joint on the side opposite the fiberglass tape.

On the left are the two bottom panels. The camera angle makes one look wider then the other but they are the same size.

On the right is one of the side panels. 

I attempted to spread the epoxy on thick enough so it would protrude slightly above the joint and once it cures I'll sand it flat.

I'll let it cure for 24 hours.