Hi,

Most likely you can not notice it during paddling. But, it's very easy to fix in this early stage, so I would do it.

I had a little problem with my first kayak, the bow came out bended sideways. I just glued more plywood to inside and sanded through the surface until it was straight.

I didn't understand what the problem looks, but you can always replace a part in s&g, just saw the piece off and replace it.

Toni.

: I am building a S&G Chesapeake 17 from CLC (from plans) and have just
: finished taping the seams, and gotten to the point of turning it over to
: sand the hull.

: I noticed the stem join between the top two panels (when hull is right way
: up) have a slight curve to them - so with a straight line from tip of bow
: to joint with lower panels, the middle curves out about 1/4" or less.

: Not very prominent, and I didn't notice it when stitching the panels. As the
: bend is mainluy above the waterline, not prominent, and keel line is
: straight, I'm not sure if it will affect performance/tracking?

: Is it worth cutting down the line (has been taped and well glued but no end
: pour yet) with a saw, aplying more epoxy, and clamping to a straightedge
: to correct it?

: Or is this going to weaken the bow for little gain in performance?

: Bow will be painted so another option is to just sand each side as
: appropriate to make it straight/flat and apply epoxy to strengthen (will
: be glassed and supported by end pour so ply thickness should not be
: critical).

: Thoughts from people here who know more than I do (that's all of you!!)?

: Thanks,
: Darren