> I am past both stems on the Spring Run. I had a little trouble between the
> inner stems and the next stations, where the bottom transitions into the
> stems. Now, as I look at it, I cant decide if it would be easier to put
> two "keel" strips up the middle and then mate the bottom strips
> at each end as I go, or would it be easier to do the bottom strips in
> pairs and mate them together to each other?

Hi Don:

I made internal stems for my Guillemot Expedition Single. When I stripped keel-wards from the sheer, I interleaved the ends in what Nick described as a finger joint. Left, right, left, right... Eventually, it became clear that the ends of the strips no longer wanted to interleave, but wanted to meet in a joint. I chose the method in Nick's book that divides the hull into two half-footballs. I used a pair of the straightest, cleanest strips I had, and tapered them to fit into the vee at the bow and stern, just where the stem had recently disappeared.

I then had two sections to fill. The pattern I used to fill these sections was to apply a strip along the edge nearest the sheer, then on the same section, apply a strip along my "keel strips". One, two, outside, inside. Move to the other half-football, repeat. Two, switch sides, two, switch, two, switch. The sections shrank rapidly to the size of less than a single strip. Whittling time.

This pattern gave nice balance to the sides and the alternating joint line was pleasing to the eye, and didn't detract from the lines of the boat. It was really easy to do, too. In fact, the tapering steps to make each strip fit was intimidating at first. Wow, I thought, _every_ strip is different now, no two are the same length or have the same angle. I never expected those facts to present the opportunity for the most enjoyable woodworking part of the whole boat. A sharp block plane and cedar strips make a very satisfying combination.

Ed Valley