Thank you everyone for your advice. Especially Russ who obviously took a great deal of time to explain the pros and cons of bought Vs make your own. I’ll be pasting your replies in my building journal so I’ll have alternatives to “falling on a broken strip” next year.

Russ, I’ll continue to make my own simply because I’m a stubborn SOB. I’ll have to admit that I went through the same thing last year but didn’t ask for advice. My solution this year was to buy twice as many boards. Okay, not so smart, but it worked. I might even have enough for a second boat (I actually had a better yield this year). Also, I’ve discovered “Fit for use”. If the cove is broken on one side, put that side on the inside of the boat. When planing, most of the outside of the cove also gets taken off on in the curved areas of the boat.

There is a great deal of satisfaction in filling up one of those big trash cans on wheels with saw dust one weekend and routing chips the next. But have you noticed when people ask about the strips and you try to explain the process, they just don’t have a clue.

Did I mention I drive twice as fast when I’m lost; to make up time in getting unlost. And I NEVER ask for directions (when the wife is with).

I’ll follow your safety advice first Al. Last weekend I had the pleasure of searching for a finger at work. A guy defeated double palm buttons and a door interlock to put his hand in a punch press. And then machine wouldn’t have amputated his finger, but he pulled it off to get his hand out. I have a new appreciation for safety devices.

Thanks again,

Dwight