First off, you did remind me of a little bit of advise related to the bending thing. When time to put on say a side panel, I first put a clamp near the stem and stern of the previous panel, then wired the center of the panel. Just gives a place to rest the panel tip to keep it from flopping around. Removed the clamps, tossed in a very loose stitch near either end, then proceeded per directions.

Now, my Q. Staining has me intrigued, esp. after looking at Nick's recent S&G Night Heron posts. My working methods would blow thru the stain when sanding to round the sheer, etc. Other nonboat experience shows poor luck restaining such areas and getting them to match well. How does one avoid or conquer the problem?