While I'd like to read a book
> on stitch and glue is it necessary based on the quality of the Pygmy
> directions?

Hi Fritz, If you would like to read a book then by all means go for it. Chris's book, Nick's, go to town, it's still cheaper than a gallon of epoxy. Quality will be something that you get to build in as well. There are some frustrating and hilarious first time mistakes anyone can make with the clearest and most precise directions. And they are nearly all correctable. Maybe now would be a good time for you to encourage your friend, its just plywood,epoxy,and glass.

general tips? wear shop clothes whenever the epoxy comes out. the temptation to start a project with street shoes or decent slacks will relegate them to the stiff clothes pile. Get lots of latex gloves. little non-waxy dixie cups are great for small batches of glue. Although one can learn glassing as you go, I think practicing on a scrap of plywood will help you interpret what the directions are talking about. Forearm protection will help keep sensitive skin from being exposed to epoxy,Tyvek sleeves or barrier cream. Make the endpour as small as possible. Don't leave the project stalled for too many months in a half sealed state, for example, hull or deck finished on one side but bare wood on the other. Start thinking of alternatives to the thermarest seatpad. Unless you've already ordered the hatch kit you can make hatches/bulkheads for about $60 which might be more to your wishes. Not sure how the coaming on the Tern is constructed but if it's like the other pygmys I find the peaked edge front and back bothersome, you can build up the last layer of coaming spacer to make the coaming smoother. The folks on this board have come up with all kinds of neat ways to build boats, although I haven't tried it there's a permanent attachement for deck rigging that is very trick posted in an earlier thread.HAVE FUN