The goal is to cover the forms with wood. You can do this without ever using cheater strips. All they do is make life a little easier (maybe). I'm not sure what the ultimate connection of the strips will be like if you don't use cheaters. It will probably be fine. It is even possible that it won't be any harder at all. I don't know, I haven't tried. I use cheaters as much because I like the look as because I think it will be easier.

I know others have built without cheaters and the boats came out fine. I didn't hear any of these people complain about how hard it was. The worst that will likely happen is you might have a tricky joint at stem.

: I'm just starting to build my first strip boat after completing a s&g CLC 17
: last winter. Its a guillemot single, and I have a quick question about the
: cheater strips that Nick recomends using in his book. I really like the
: curvature of the strips along the sheer line, and was wondering what would
: happen if I just continued stripping without the cheater strips. I would
: guess that the bow and stern would come up to the bottom of the boat at
: different times. I also guess that the strips will become more dificult to
: twist and bend. Are these factors really going to be a problem, or should
: I just stick to the instructions on my first boat!? Any insights would be
: appreciated.
: Thanks,
: Brad