I think this is going to be a great project, we will all love watching this one come together. The best part is going to be seeing you do the body, sounds like you have it figured out pretty well.

You asked if 2 layers of mat and one of cloth would be enough. I think it should be fine. Sometimes in boat building they do a layer of mat, then the cloth, then mat again, sort of sandwich the cloth inside the mat. It keeps you from getting print out from the pattern of the cloth as mat is on the outside.

I would also suggest you shoot a couple of layers of gel coat into the mold after you put the mold release in there, it will give you a better finish and less work to get it ready for paint. I recently watched a show on TV, Shipshape TV, and they went to a boat factory to watch boats being built. They actually use like 11 coats of mold release agent and then use compressed air to pop the boat out of the mold. I guess the more mold release the better.

I also think Dave had a good suggestion about possibly reinforcing the outside of the mold so it doesn't bow out on you when you start laying up glass. If you have ever passed a place that builds boats the molds they have laying outside all have tubular bracing running up and down the sides of the mold to keep it's shape. A small T body wouldn't need a lot, so maybe you can test it to see how it feels to you before you start.

I'm really excited for you, this is going to be a fun project.

Don