: . . .How do
: you get out of this cycle or do you just do this several times and it all
: works out?

Grab some of your worst strips--even some that are way too thin-- and start stapling them to the forms. Space them a few inches apart, and certaionly do not use any glue on them. You can put them almost anywhere, except along the waterline where you'll put your first "real" strips.

As these scrap strips go on they'll reveal forms which have shifted to one side or the other. You'll have areas where the strips skip over a form on one side of the boat, and then bulge out on the opposite side. The scrap strips will help you get those shifted forms recentered. They'll also show where a form is too low, or too high.

Leave the scrap strips in place while you apply the good ones. They'll keep things stiffer and in alignment. Pull off a scrap strip when it gets in the way of your real strips.

Whe you pull of the scrap strips be sure to pull the staples form them so you don't get scratched by them.

Hope this helps

PGJ