I currently am doing a non-boat strip project in which I have contemplated doing a diagonal layup of strips inside an area of trapazoid (approximate) shape. Since there are no ribs (or form) under the area, I am wondering what most of you have done in the past to support this type of build?

I was planning on using bead and cove strips, and need to know if edge gluing and clamping (or hot glue) will keep them in place until time to sand and glass - or are some of you using some sort of substrate - either pre-fabbed glass cloth with strips glued in place after epoxy/cloth has cured, 3 mm plywood or .... ???? I have even contemplated using "Contact" paper to support the strip glue-up, removing the adhesive backed paper after fitting the diagonal strips to the opening.

My widest span is estimated to be about 10 inches or less (end to end) and side to side I have spacing of about 18 inches between the supporting "ribs". Most strippers that I have seen (canoe and kayak) all seem to have their "artwork" running over some of the templates or bulkheads. Since I don't have these, any suggestions or ideas appreciated.

Thanks.