Once it's straight, and a few strips ore on each side, the strips will hold it pretty well, especially if you are stapling. I dont see why forcing it straight wont work, but it might be easier to re-align the forms, and leave the strongback crooked.

You might consider an A-frame structure of tarps over it, or something like Stimpson Marine's bow-roof shed.

: I am building my Atlantic 19 outside. I have it covered with plastic while
: I'm not working on it. I supported it as in Nick's book with custom built
: sawhorses. I would first like to recommend that if you are building
: outside you make the "feet" longer to keep the 'yak from tipping
: in wind. How do I know??? After a relaxing 2-week vacation away from home
: I found my kayak frame (Thank goodness I had not yet started stripping)
: laying on its side. It had flipped over in high wind. The strongback had
: cracked causing the frame to bend to the left. Perhaps I could build a
: Venetian Gondola out of it, but I prefer to fix it. Here is what I have
: proposed...

: Since I Screwed and glued the forms to the strongback I don't want to have to
: take it all apart. What I want to do is put a splint on the cracked part
: of the frame. This will fix the break, but unfortunately the strongback is
: slightly warped from laying on its side and getting wet (plastic blew
: off). To fix this I am going to try hammering 2x4's upright into the
: ground in a straight line and using deck screws to screw the kayak frame
: to the 2x4's. This will keep it straight while I build the bottom. Once
: the bottom is done I will unscrew the frame from the 2x4's and hopefully
: the strips will keep the kayak's shape after that. The warp is only
: minimal (about 3" off center over the 19' length) and would not put a
: lot of pressure on the strips. What do you folks think? This is my first
: kayak, so don't laugh if my idea is dumb. At least I asked first,
: right!!!!???