: Ok so it looks like I am getting to the point of putting the two
: keel strips on my guillemot. My questions are many.

: First is it easier to put the two keel strips in place and then
: deal with the two footballs left on either side or go across the
: centerline, cut back, go across the center line from the other
: side, cut back then put the two keel strips in place? Kinda like
: the one ocean meathod? No mitered ends, I don't know just a
: thought

I installed the keel strips and then did a couple interlaced with strips from the sheerline. By now, it was up and over the chine. For he rest, I stripped the football with straight strips, parallel to the keel.

I think that for me, I found this approach easier. I liked the security of the cove to shove the strips into.

: Second How important is it to use hardwood strips for the two keel
: strips? I don't have any hardwood on hand ripped up for this and
: just want some input on using ceder, mainly because I got lots.

I read heaps of blogs before starting the build, and I can't recall any strongly advising using hardwood for the keel. Laminatng external stems was definitely worthwhile!

I did make one very stupied mistake though. I laid a 2" tape along the keel before the main glass over the hull. Rationale:
- I was nervous about doing first glass job with full piece, and wanted to get on with it while doing a seal coat.
- I wanted a bit more abrasion resistance along the keel.
I should have put the extra layer on the outside, not under the main glass layer. And I shouldn't have used tape. The weft on he edge of the tape makes a ridge that has left a yucky milky line along the tape under the main layer of glass. Live and learn eh!

I'll let more experienced souls give ideas for designs! Over on Ross Leidy's blue heron kayaks forum there are some amazing examples. Check out a current post from skotmiller I think.

Cheers Ian

: Third since I have striped all the way up the sides of the boat I
: have come to the flatter bottom and would like to see some of
: your guys accent designs for this section of the hull. I was
: thinking of keeping it pretty basic with a single pine stip at
: some point around the diagonal mark on the forms, since I am
: using pine accents for the deck but I just don't know. At the
: very least this would be a good oppotunity to show off some of
: the beautiful stuff that I know you guys have all done.

: Thanks to everyone on this board and the input it gives is amazing,
: especially thanks to Nick for putting it together.

: Dave.