> Is it possible (smart?) to just cut off the recess part of the deck and
> strip that part flat to begin with instead of cutting it out and re-doing
> it? If I understand you correctly you want to strip the flat cockpit recess first then fill in the deck around it. If that is your question the answer is no you can't do it that way because although the recess is flat side to side it is curved front to back and that curve is determined by the recess cut out. Kenny