: The 108 nails is a new one. All you need is a sufficient number of layout
: points which will be connected using a long thin flexible wooden batten
: (some use a piece of PVC pipe) to scribe a line connecting the points. The
: batten is used because it will give you a smooth (also called
: "fair") curve. If your 108 points don't give you a fair curve it
: could effect the shape of your hull.

My batten is a 1/4"x3/4" piece of pine molding. Testing it out, I get very good curves. The nails are every nine inches... didn't think it was really overkill but I guess you're right. Just as well.

: When using a power saw it is a good idea to saw wide of the mark and plane
: down to the line but it takes a well sharpened block plane to cut the end
: grain in the plywood.
: I usually drill the holes as I stitch the panels. Some areas require only a
: few. Places where there is a lot of twist or bend in a panel may require
: many more to make the panel do what you want. What you are after, mainly,
: are smoothe graceful curves.

Sounds good to me. Should I at least make some reference holes to get things started?

: If you had a decent text on S&G building it should have covered all of this.
: The internet is not a a suitable replacement for a book with diagrams and
: pictures. My first build was a S&G kayak that was featured in a how-to
: book. Even tho' I had all the necessary details I still made a bunch of
: mistakes.

As I said, the book is en route; it was missing from the initial order. Thanks for the help! If I were waiting for the book, I'd have still not yet even purchased the wood, and time has become somewhat of a concern.