> This may be hard to follow -- refer to view (C) of schematic 2:

> You may be able to do the whole thing in one swell foop (fell swoop?)
> Imagine the same [1 1/2] X [1 1/2] X [something long] piece of hardwood.
> Imagine you're table saw's blade coming down vertically past the outer
> edge of the coaming lip in (C). This would hollow out the left part of the
> channel. Then set your saw up to come in horizontally from the left to
> hollow out the upper part of the channel. You will end up with the basic
> shape plus a rectangle of wood in the opposite corner that you can't get
> with the table saw. Now, just like cutting off slices of salami, cut off
> 1" pieces, varying the angle to form the oval cockpit opening. After
> each secion is cut off, finish trimming out that extra wood in the lower
> right corner on your bandsaw or scroll saw.

I really like your idea of using one pc of wood. And I the first one appeals to me a little more than the second - looks like a bit of work. Very provoking and I'll be considering it as I get closer and closer to this point.

Another idea is to use 3 bits of 3/4" corner moulding glued up toe to toe to toe.( maybe a 3/4" spacer for the base) Just plane down the first one to account for the downturn height variation.

-mike