: 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?

Make sure you have a good bevel on both the hull and deck. Bevel two of the three plies of the plywood. Follow the directions and align the deck and hull using a utility knife slid in the joint and pry the deck and hull together. When taping, start with the tape on the deck on the far side of the center line. When taping, strech the tape as much as you can as you apply it to ensure the joint is pulled together very tight and continue this way all the way around the hull and finish with a generous overlap on the tape where you started. I have spanned more than a half an inch on one boats (my own building error on an osprey)without any problem. They key is to strech the tape as mutch as possible and continue this around the entire hull. This method has worked well for me through a number of boats now.

I believe the key to keeping a good match between hull and deck is to return the deck to the hull just after the epoxy is starting to gell on the fiberglass tape joints. You want to return the deck to the hull as soon as you are sure the tape will not sag off the deck.