You certainly can build beautiful boats without B&C strips. Locally I can not buy B&C strips. My first boat I bought strips and beveled them as needed (its easy). Where I got gaps I would probably have gotten them with B&C any ways. For my second boat and any future boats I ripe my own strips and forget the B&C. Unless someone gives me some B&C strips (ya right) I have no plans to use them.

Enjoy, you'll be an addict before you know it.

Jason

: I am just starting to build the Great Auk cedar strip kayak. I am finishing
: cutting the forms and hope to start stripping in the next two weeks. My
: question is this: How necessary is it to use cove and bead strips? Will I
: be able to make a beautiful, functional boat without the cove and bead? Is
: the time and effort in making the cove and bead strips worth it?

: Thanks,

: Scott