Hi Dave,

: Drill your stitch holes through the top of the base ring...

Thank you for that tip. I had considered it, and wondered if it would work. Do you think the stitching will stand proud, such that I might also need to possibly route a shallow groove around the piece above, to make a little room so the pieces sit flush? I've never actually seen a sewn-on skin, so I don't know.

I'm also going back and forth on 8 oz. and 12 oz. skin, like the Skin Boat School sells. I was not impressed with the abrasion resistance of 18 oz. Coverene PVC, so I want to end up tougher, with the polyurethane or other coating. And, again, having never seen this stuff, I'm not sure.

: How far along are you on the Sea Otter? No offense to Tom, but...

Ugh, well, that's not what I wanted to hear. I just glued the gunwales to the frames today; waiting for epoxy to set. I already built the Sea Rider multi-chine. But, I can't abide the straight-leg posture and small combing, and expect to be able to get a few small drybags stuffed behind the cockpit of the Sea Otter, which I could not with the Sea Rider. Sea Otter looks to be extra light weight, and with my moderate strength and size, I'm starting to think 15 feet may be my sweet spot.

Maybe I'll have some sort of size/weight benefit over you as relates to stability and handling of the Sea Otter. I can hope.

: Good luck, in any case.
: Dave