Hi Mitch;

I did manage to view your picture of the staircase to somewhere. Staircases do develop, and they are generally a sign of a bevel not increasing as fast as the twist in the strip. Since it is running at 25% of the strip thickness, I would be inclined to work with it as-is, and accept 3/16" thick strips at that point after planing. For future strips increase the angle of the bevel beyond station 3, and the staircase should go away after a strip or two, although to fair them with the existing strips, they will ultimately end up somewhat thinner also.

I had this problem with the severe twists in my "swoops" on the deck, and no harm comes from fairing a staircase as long as you have at least 60-75% of the wood remaining. Think of it as a positive "weight loss" for your 'yak.

Congrats on going stapleless and sans C&B, you will appreciate the merits when it comes to the finishing stages. If you have been reasonably diligent in your fitting operations, which it appears that you have, you stripping should look *GREAT* when planed and sanded . . .

Best Regards, Spidey