I am constructing the Patuxent 19.5 from a CLC kit. I have stiched the hull together and checked the hull for "twists". As instructed, I placed two sticks perpendicular to the chine four feet in from the bow and stern. Squatting down I brought the top of the bow stick to the bottom of the stern stick, checking to see if they were parallel. I observed a small gap between the sticks on one side of the kayak. When I twisted the hull to bring the sticks flush, I noticed that both the stern and bow tips appeared cocked or leaned in one direction, away from the keel. I confirmed this by taking a string and placing a weight on one end, then hung the string from the center tip of the bow and stern. Niether was centered. When I centered the tips, the gap reappeared between the sticks.

I spoke with someone at CLC, who stated that a minor gap is almost unavoidable between the sticks and should not compromise the boats handling. I would just like a second opinion on this before I glass/glue the hull in place. place. I want to race with the boat and want the hull a perfect as possible.