I get all choked up whenever I see a picture of that OI you built. It was all I could do to hold back the tears seeing it in person at the last couple Newfound Rendezvous-s. But, I promised myself I wouldn't cry

It's absolutely stunning.

: I saw my outer stems from solid ash...or mahogany or other wood...the better
: to see the grain. I aggree with the others... wider is better. I extend
: the stem up past the shear line, even curving it more vertical after it
: passes into the deck.

: Plane(rasp, sand)the sides to match the shape of the strips. Plane the edge
: down so it is 1/4" wide then radius it.

: --eric

: P.S. the boat in the photo has a brass rug strip over the stem.