epoxy and 1708 with or without mat?

[KnightWolf]

So I am gonna order up some glass. I am using epoxy resin I know the mat sucks up resin. So using epoxy how important is the mat? Besides helping build up thickness how much strenth does it give?

I am also ordering some 6oz cloth. It is for the transom, stringers and deck of an 18ft Kona shallow V the thread to my build is in my sig.

Any suggestions appreciated I know there are tons of posts on glass everyone uses what they have but I am getting new.