: OK, I've never really understood this bias thing. Does that just mean you
: take a rectanguular piece of fiberglass and turn it at an angle, in which
: case it would be pointy at both ends? I'm having trouble visualizing how
: it would ever, under any circumstances, just drap over an end without
: bunching up. I can see making a cut and wrapping around an end.

"On the bias" is a textile term (I know a lady who has a small kids clothing company). Fabric cut on the bias has better stretch attributes; you can see it by pulling on a small square of your clothing at different directions. I cut an oblong strip at 45 deg to the weave - several inches wide depending on what I am doing. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to apply to irregular shapes. The bias strip would just cover the small seam under the stem band. The extra reinforcement will help keep the fillets intact if you drop the boat.