This is not a sprint; it's more like a marathon. Take the time to make your strips fit tightly, avoiding gaps. Work the curves more w/imagination and inventiveness than with force. I'm working on my first kayak, and didn't take a lot of pains because this project was really just to see if I could do it. I'm at the point of sanding the deck/hull getting ready to glass. If I had taken more time cutting the strips and getting them on the forms, the planing, filling and glassing would go much easier. But even w/my shortcomings, I think I'll still come out w/a nice boat, and it amazes my nonwoodworking friends.