Well this thing has answered itself.

As suggested, I decided to sand out the lip, connect the ends of the side panels, spread the panels out to the designed width, see what I saw, and go from there.

Got the lip sanded out and picked up the panel at the joint.

The thing broke.

That takes care of that!

Probably a good thing it broke now instead of later.

Anyway, my thanks to those who responded. After looking at my plans and progress so far, I think I am going to be OK with the re-scarfing.

I'm sure you will be hearing from me again when I get myself into another jam.

Type at ya'll later.

Don