: Just put on the end forms and measured the length of the Guillemot Double. I
: know the length in the book says it is 20 feet less the thickness of the
: cedar, wich is 1/4 inch so I should have 19 feet 11 1/2 inches but have 19
: feet 9 1/2 inches , what happened?

Hmmmm.

First, the strips come to a blunt point at the ends, they don't lay across the ends, so your strips are going to extend beyond the ends of the end forms by more than just their thickness of 1/4 inch.

But, if you are worried about this 3 inch discrepancy: Have you checked the spacing between the forms along the length of the boat, measuring from the center of one form to the center of the next? If all the forms are properly spaced, then you may have placed the end forms too close to the first building form.

Take 5 full length strips and lay them over the forms, holding them in place as needed. It is OK to use staples. they should bend smppthly over the length of the boat, and should give a rough idea of the shape of the boat along its length. See if they disclose unusual bulging that might indicate improper spacing of some forms.

Otherwise, if everything looks good, build the boat and put a 1 inch external stem piece on each end to bring it up to the full 20 feet.

They say size doesn't matter, but that is not true.

Hope this helps

PGJ