Hobie 16 is vaccuum-bagged.

If it's less than 5 years old, it's still under warranty. Good luck filing a claim now that you've ground it down.

I wouldn't stress so much about it, but I would use polyester, not epoxy, to repair it. That way, you can spray gel over to finish it off.

Nobody is ever going to protest you for using carbon fiber to repair a 16. Besides, if it's covered with gel, how would they know? Other than the fact you broadcast it on the Internet?