[Rick TYler]

Kevlar and carbon fibers both "float" on epoxy and make a weak composite bond in the absence of mechanical pressure during curing (usually either vacuum bagging or elastic bands of some kind). If you want to make composite spars, use either round poles, or generously radius the corners and consider using a biaxial fiberglass sock: http://boatbuildercentral.com/prodde...AP_U29L200x_ft instead of cloth. For what it's worth, I've never heard of "System 2000" resin. After trying out five or six brands, I use SystemThree exclusively in boats and other hobby applications. Their Silver Tip Laminating epoxy would be perfect if you want to make a composite spar for your hopper.

However, you don't really need high-tech coatings if you engineer your wooden components properly. None of those clipper ships crossing the oceans at 15-20 knots had a drop of epoxy on them.