> 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?

After reading this thread several times, I'm wondering if you want to cut off the tops of the forms, and strip the deck flat across the forms in the cockpit area?

If so, that might be pretty hard and may give your recessed area a strange shape. But I can't recall exactly what types of angles were in that area when I stripped the deck.

Woody