I'm also going stapleless on my Great Auk. I started by stapling the shear strip, but it wasn't as solid as I wanted so I drilled 1/8" holes through the strip at each station and drove in drywall screws. When I'm ready to remove the boat I will drill and plug where the screws were. I may even use a contrasting color wood and call the row of little dots a "design element".

Bob

> I've just started puting together the strongback for Nick Shade's 'Little
> Auk' and am planning to strip it without staples. I've read many great
> ideas and techniques on the procedure, but am buffaloed on how the starter
> strip at the shear line stays put with out staples.

> Need help, Marcel