After much anticipation, I got my Core Sound 17 Mark 3 kit in early January. We decided to epoxy all of the pieces --except for the finger joint ones-- before actually starting the build. Our thinking is that it is much easier to flo-coat epoxy on flat surfaces now rather than trying to do all that epoxying later. I have never built a boat before, but my husband has, and he is my instructor in this endeavor. I know we will have to sand before actually starting construction, but I am worrie