Can I epoxy before attaching spacers for the inwales?

I am about ready to begin the installation of the spacers for the inwales on my NE Dory and was wondering if there is any reason I could not apply several coats of epoxy to the first lap before bonding the spacers to the boat?  The thinking is that it will be a lot easier to epoxy before then trying to do it after all the spacers are attached.  

I don't see why you couldn't although I would think it would be pretty messy trying to get epoxy on all those little pieces.  I didn't find it too hard to epoxy after they were already on.  I put a tape line below the whole line and just made sure to get all the drips.