John,

Thanks for the advice. I thought about this last night (lost some sleep, too). I checked my router table insert (it's a Craftsman router table that comes with three inserts to use based on router cutter sizes) this morning, and the insert is lower than the table. Maybe the board is getting sucked down and this is leading to the distortion of the bead? I thought this might happen at the ends of the board, but not in the middle where the boards had the support of the table, but some of the boards I routed and cut in two had off-centre beads. I'm going to layer some masking tape on to the insert to raise it to the table height just to be certain.

Regardless, I'll take your advice and get some Board Buddies; they'll also help when I'm cutting the strongback. I guess I'll be recutting some beads . . .

Thanks again,

Greg.

: Greg: I'm a total novice when it comes to building kayaks, but I'm a pretty
: advanced woodworker. I'd suggest you get a set of Board Buddies. They cost
: about $30.00 and they work great. They will hold the strips firmly to the
: router table and tight against the fence. I just got done routing several
: hundred feet. First time I ever done it and honestly it was a piece of
: cake.

: John