I built a Chesapeake S&G a couple of years ago. It seems as if I had a couple of pieces of scrap wood between the shear strips to hold the hull to the correct width, prior to putting in the bulkheads. I think when you put in the bulkheads and the two arched ply strips that support the deck curvature, there will be no problem with the hull deforming. Did I address your question at all, or did I miss the point? Hmmmm.

: Hmm. I don't know! How long have you had it braced and strapped in position?
: I would hope that with a little time, especially if the resin wasn't
: really really cured when you started assembly, that it might complete
: curing in the correct position... [I can't really say - I'd have had your
: problem, but, uh, yeah, that 'yak is kinda gone...]

: Youch! Don't do it! If you can bend it to the right shape (and no wiser
: person contradicts me) leave it at that!

: But, hey, do you have any ideas on S&G construction? As in, I am slowly
: working my way through this thing. For now, I have all of my hull panels
: done. Well, I could, say, make a hull before making my deck panels. But
: I'm kind of worried that since I'm using formless construction methods
: that it will just squat there and warp during the weeks between its
: assembly and the addition of the deck... Are these worries based on
: anything like reality? Or, when it warps, I'll be able to pull it back in
: enough to tack things together (even under a little stress everything will
: be ok), right? Just like for your 'yak? And then this summer we'll all
: meet somewhere and laugh at how silly we were while making our first
: (first that actually made it to water!) 'yaks! Uh. Right?

: cheers!
: c