Gary:
I've built three 17' okume S&G VOLKSKAYAKs, and been in on the building of about 10 others. None was glassed inside and out - in fact, only one was completely sheathed outside. We use 4" tape on the seams, usually doubled along the keel line, and that's about it; lately, tho, we have also started to glass the cockpit floor to protect against grit, etc. We do, however, make sure that every nook and cranny gets multiple coatings with epoxy (3-4 outside, 2-3 inside).
While we don't torture-test our 'yaks, we're far from gentle with them; I've whacked rocks, banks, and beaches, dropped 'em, chucked 'em on and off roof racks, stored 'em outside in summer and in an unheated basement at the cabin in winter. My first VK, the RightWind, is now six years old, and shows absolutely no deterioration beyond the cosmetic damge you'd expect from Newfoundland's rocky shores. Pls feel free to e-mail if you want more info/pix.

Regards,
Rick Hayes
Upper Gullies/Eastport
Newfoundland
--
"You Shouldn't Have Joined
If You Can't Take A Joke"

Royal Navy Axiom