Okay, I've got the hull of the Night Heron finished...took my time ( retired, YES!)...and it looks pretty good. I want to PLANE really bad...because it...well...just looks neat and I would like to acquire this skill. I have two 70 year old Stanley's that belonged to grandfather. Had the local expert come over...and spend over an hour Sharpening and Adjusting them. Said they were SUPER. However, my kit came in 8 foot long pieces...so most of my strips are SCARFED in two spots. And...to be honest...there were many times when I couldn't have told you which way the grain was running on one strip to next. SO...I tried the planeing and it would go smooth...then hit ( against the grain?) a piece where it would rumble rather than smooth. Since I have so many scarfs should I just give up on the planeing and go to fairing????? Yes, I'm going parallel to strip and have my plane at around a 40 degree angle. That cedar is just so damn soft and thin....worried about doing major damage?!?!? help!