: I am up to my 4th strip and I think, by Nick's book, I need a cheater strip.
: Any tips?

If you are having to really bend the strip to get it to make the curve then it is time to cheat.

It is really easy, all you do is pick a spot on the bow that you want the next strip to go to. It is easiest if the gap is a bit less than a strip width at its widest point, that way it will be filled by 1 cheater strip instead of 1 plus a little more. Just staple or clamp the strips at the bow and start the next one leaving the gap to be filled later. I think I did them all at the same time after the whole area was stripped. Any way you choose should work.

It is good to make both sides match, cheater strip in the same place on both sides.

I think I ended up with 3 cheaters on each side for the Guillemot but your quantity can vary depending on which boat you are making and the width of your strips etc. They really blend in and aren't noticable in the finished boat.

Enjoy!!