I don't see the internal stem making a significant difference in strength. I've been doing it recently because it is easier to secure the ends of the strips by gluing them to the removable iternal stem instead of each other. I just use pine or cedar.

: I am new to the strip building of kayaks and have started one myself. (Great
: Auk) In reading Nicks book on building the forms I have noticed with the
: bow some use a removable bow stem and others don't. What is the reason for
: making the bow form with a removable stem? Does it make the bow stronger
: after the stripping is complete? Is it only to aid in the removal of the
: forms from the finished kayak?
: Thanks for any feed back.
: Scott