I got it working last night. It cut pretty well but still skimmed over the work at the beamiest part of the boat - the curve gradually gets greater as you get toward the center. So I was going to remove the cutter and round the sole a little more. I hammered on the back end of the plane to release the iron, didn't budge... hammered the striking button, wouldn't budge... hit it again - hard... Crack! The plane split right along that dark line in the grain.

I swore like crazy but then, I had to laugh at myself; I had thought I was such a smart-ass and now look what I got. I haven't given up on the idea but I already have a plan B. If this plane doesn't glue well and I don't find a quick replacement then I'll be trying a laminate trimmer technique I saw on the board once.

Oh well, live and learn