: I've got the kit for a Night Heron for CLCboats. The strong back came 20 feet
: long and the plans called for 14 feet. Cut back the S.back...but now I've
: got to taper one end for a stem. WHEN I taper this end back, I'm going to
: have a hollow area on bottom. Anyone have a problem with dat...as far as
: fixing a stem to it?

Fill in the hole with some plywood after you cut the taper, if you don't you will not be able to firmly attach the end peice.

As for the scarf joints, any method will work, the cedar is very easy to cut/plane/sand/etc. and as long as you clamp the peices firmly together when gluing the joint will be fine. I made a table saw jig that held the pieces securely and it worked great. The edges of the cove are delicate, so if you need to put that end down use a peice of leftover cove to protect them.