> 1: I'm doing the combing on my triple and I was wondering if it's a good
> idea to make the cheek plates from longer combing strips as Walt Prohaska
> did in the link below, or to add cheek plates later. I don't see any
> reason that this shouldn't be as strong, but was wondering if anyone else
> has tried it with any success.

Aside from the disjunctive zebra stripes that George has previously referred to, extending the coaming upstand allows a flow of lines connecting the kayak exterior to the inside, as well as allowing a structural connection or brace beween the coaming and the hull. Even if a separate cheek plate is contemplated in the future, a prudent step would be to extend the lines down now cut off and then maybe reattach.

Seat integration is the next logical step, for example, if two part, the lower cheekplate could attach to the seat, and overlap could be set behind the upper, bolt holes between, and you have structural yet adjustable for and aft seat setup

-mick