: I'm building from Cunningham's book. I have my rib mortices layed out and I'm
: looking at the next steps... He says to shave down the top edge of the
: gunwales to accentuate the sheer. I really don't understand his
: description; I'm inclined to skip this step. Bad idea? Do other builders
: shave down the gunwales or leave them a consistent width?

I think Shawn skipped the shaped gunwales. You might check with him on the results. It is a step straight from the Peterson books, if that makes any difference.

: Also, I have been thinking about the pinched bow. I can see how a pinched bow
: looks better but I figure it is better not to pinch because greater width
: at the sheer would help raise the ends up out of the water in a leaned
: turn. Yes, no, maybe?

I think Ben is right here. It's more of a volume effect. Pinched = less, open = more.

Bill