: -I wonder if you can give me some additional information.

Well I will answer what I can. Problem is that I haven't located anyone that built one and is willing to answer any detailed questions. I have a feeling very few have actually been built. But that is just my opinion.

: - are there advantages you see in the Diva over other plans...such as the
: -Shearwater Merganser 15 (actually 15'6"x24")?
: - building: is the actual panel cutting/building simpler than other boats?

Meganser - I have no idea! I like the looks of the boat and have been looking at it. I suspect the Meganser has had more builders and perhaps the boat has been refined? No way to know that.
As far as building the Diva, I have read a lot about some of B&B's other boats that use the same methods. From what I gather once cut out they are simple to stitch together and tend to come tegether with minimal twist in them. I suspect their shape isn't as likely to distort. But of course you have to be careful on any boat you build! And lacing up and filleting the hull it a very small part of the total job.

: - do the plans call for full fiberglassing of the hull and deck?

I have not seen the plans but I would at least fiberglass the hull. When I build mine I am going to do the deck too. I am thinking that I will use lighter cloth on the deck than the hull to keep the weight down.

: - do the plans come full size?

I don't tink so. But just go the B&B board and ask. Graham is great about answering questions and so are the other members on the board. I know some have bough the plans that are active on the board.

: - its hard to tell from the pictures, but do you know the shape of the hull
: cross-section at the cockpit? Is there much V to the bottom? And is there
: much flare to the side panels coming up to the shear line?

I will post a photo of the hull under construction I was sent. I think it has a fair amount of V but not much flair. From what I have heard from the people is the boat is stable and tracks very well.

: I think you are right, the deck could be lowered in the building
: process....and you could take care of cockpit size/shape to accommodate
: knee braces.

I am pretty sure if you lowered and reshaped the bulkhead you could lower the deck height at the cockpit too.

I am going to add the photo and a link to the B&B bulletin board. When you go the B&B forum just do a search for Diva and you can pull up the old posts.