: I am building a expedition and see a cut out on the stem. Is this to match
: the taper you do to the strongback form. I really dont see this explained
: in the book or photo details, Any advise would be helpful. By the way i
: have built a strip canoe so i have the basic skills. It was from David
: Hazens book so it obviously was a different style of building. Thanks in
: advance, Elliott
Elliot, your guess was right, cut the stem form taper out a match it up to the strong back. Another option would be to consider not using the stem forms at all and placeing a solid end on. There are some threads on the bbs concerning this. I have assisted in two GE builds and as lovely as the boat is that stem is a B.... to lay up. Difficult curves and a tendency to twist once laid up. I too followed Hazen's book and had little difficulty with the general construction of the GE. Cove and bead a must. Refer to nicks book if you don't already have it. I found that wisdom could be found in both methods although David definetly adhears to the KISS method-something I like.
Good luck on the adventure.
Cheers
Rick