: Mike.
I'm sure the issue of staples/brads vrs. not stapling has been talked to death. Having said that, the most important issue with me was that I would see those damn staple marks forever on a boat that I want to be proud of. Its bad enough to see and remember your little goofs but I couldn't stand seeing those marks every time I go paddling or show off my boat to visitors. There is no question that it takes more fussing to go stapless but between little plywood brackets and duct tape, its not that big of a deal. Its also a lot easier to loosen, adjust and retighten a strip before the glue dries than to pull all the staples which ruins the strip for restapling. OK, I'm done. Good luck Mike.