First let my say, I'm very impressed with anyone who figures out how to make the plywood panels, that when stitiched together magically become a kayak. Looks Great.

Second: Welecome to the Hyrbrid Club!

to get the deck to properly align placing the forms inside the hull as striping it in place worked well for me.

However I later 'goofed' by glassing the outside of the deck and leaving it for two months. it expanded an inch on each side. I was able to push the hull out to more or less match the deck prior to glasing it. The point is that the technique is sound, but normal glassing rules apply.

I used tape to join the hull and deck on both the inside and outside, however with a flat deck I do not think this is a good option for you. I think you are right with the shear clamp.

Both the 'new kayak shop' and 'kayak Craft' detail methods using a shear clamp.

you can check out http:/www.geocities.com/myrlin_us/kayak.html for my diary of the process. It may help.

I did somthing a little off the wall with bow and stern ends of the deck, that my be of interest.

There are 4 or 5 other hybrid builders that post on the board make sure you get input from them too.

Oh and please make sure you post progress pictures, and techiques used... I'm very interested.

Have a good day

Myrl