: I'm trying to build an osprey standard. I proceeded to stich the hull pieces
: together per the manufacturers instructions. Then built the deck on the
: internal frames, removed the frames glassed the interior of the hull and
: taped the interior of the deck. When I went to re-join the hull and deck i
: find that the hull is now about a half inch more narrow than the deck. The
: manufacturer suggests taping the hull and deck together and I've tried
: this but the tape doesn't hold the deck out for any length of time. Does
: anyone know how to spread the hull to the deck and keep it in position
: long enough for epoxy glue to cure?

I hot glued small block along the shear line every 2 ft or so, then used a stick cut to lenght and pushed the hull out with them. Flipped the hull over and glassed the outside of the hull, with the sticks still inplace.

After words pop off the small blocks, remove teh hot glue, and I glassed the inside of the hull.

this really helped it holds its shape in the width. However my gull was only filleted on the inside. If yours is glassed, or even taped it will have more pull back in to the center.

for me, doing this cranked up the rocker in the hull. The rocker was 'pushed back in to place' to at least some degree when I joined the deck.

In the end it worked (I think) but was a big kluge.

I'm not quite sure what is glassed in your case and what is not. maybe this will help.

Myrl