It takes me about 30 minutes to remove all the staples. If I save one minute per strip using staples (easily) I am ahead. But, I am not really worried about this time one way or the other. At this point I am not all that interested in finding ways to shave a few more seconds off how long it takes to install a strip. An hour or two is a small percentage of the whole process. I can probably find somewhere else in my techniques to make up the difference.

For example an internal strongback lets me keep the forms together after I'm finished with the outside of the kayak. This lets me return the boat to the forms whenever I'm not working on it. If this keeps the boat from curling inward, I won't need to wet the inside to uncurl it. This can save a whole day or two. I can probably avoid this problem without an internal strongback, but it will take a different process which may or may not be easier/faster.

One thing effects another and it is a matter of personal preference about what works best for you. Since I haven't built a whole boat using the external-strongback/hot-melt-glue system, I can't yet say if I like it or not. In the end I don't expect there to be that much difference in speed.

Try not to hit staples with your tools. Take another 2 minutes to run your hand over the whole boat to feel for orphans.

: Putting in the staples may be faster, but what about your total assembly
: time? Are you also counting the time spent in hunting down and removing
: those staples?

: I've had time consuming encounters with a few that were left behind. Sharp
: tools seem to be attracted to hidden staples like tornados are attracted
: to mobile home courts. Resharpening those tools is another time consuming
: activity that should be added in.

: Just a thought.

: PGJ