: Start with a 1/2" wide sheerstrip on the deck. I actually use 1/2"
: wide strips for the first 2 or 3 strips on each side.

You might also consider splitting the first couple of feet of a regular strip too. A utility knife and steady hand are sufficient. I did this on the two Returns I am building and it worked like a charm. I think I saw the idea here somewhere, so thanks to who ever that was! The edges of the split halves may not sit perfectly in line with each other, but that can be sanded/planed/scraped out later.

Bill
Bill