I built a cedar strip kayak for my wife awaile back, and it is tough as nails. If you did the sameto the lip I don`t think you would be sorry. stay away from the body shop type of resin. West system or simmilar (search Bear mountian canoes?)resen takes overnight to set but you have a lot of time to smooth out. Do resin, glass, resin ,resin sand, resin ,sand,paint..Allso easy to repair.