> Chesapeake who always fights for scarfs uses a butt along the side of the
> cockpit opening - joining the front and rear halves together. A good trick
> is to celebrate that joint with a thin piece of white wood. I've seen it
> done and it looks great.

You know, even though I am not contemplating building a stitch and glue, I would approach it a little differently.

It is beyond me why joints at 90deg to the lines of the kayak are used (and tolerated). If I were to build one, I would buy an extra sheet or two of ply and plan the joints to be long swooping curves or diagonals - complementing the lines of the kayak. Just(!) lay one sheet of ply on top of the other and double cut for the joint - this would mean butt jts. Articulate this joint in all kinds of ways - Different wood, diffent ply, pigmented glue, etc. It sure would be nice to see a few of these.

And then you really could celebrate the opportunity of articulation.

-mike