> I'm finally starting my guillemot. Built the strongback, cutout the
> station forms this weekend. Haven't cut out the stern and bow pieces yet.
> I placed the forms that I have cut on the strongback with blocks holding
> up each end. One thing I noticed right off was that the strong back
> sagged. Where should the stands be placed to balance the load and minimize
> the sag? Would three stands work better while doing the hull half?
> Greg (Bitten by the Kayak bug) Steeves

Greg,

My strongback was dead straight unloaded, but sagged maybe an 1/8" loaded with forms and supported about 4' from the ends. An 1/8" was probably not enough to fuss over, but the remedy was so simple that I fixed it anyway. My solution was to cut three _identical_ length pieces of wood (this is key, but not difficult), say 2x3 (length is arbitrary, around 5"-6"), placing one in the center if the strongback, and the other two at each end. By sighting across the tops of the three blocks you are able to tell when the strongback is straight. I used a support roller to keep the spine straight until I had layed a significant number of strips, after that it didn't flex enough to matter. I'd be a lot more concerned with getting a strongback that is straight in the vertical plane, so that you don't end up with a kayak that wants to go in left or right-hand circles all day. >:-O

Mike Spence