: Personally I like internal stems, makes the whole boat stronger and
: if used with a light wood like WRC doesn't add much weight. I'd
: cut the boat with it on the forms, once cut the hull will get
: seriously floppy and the forms would help to stablize the rest
: of the hull. I'd also recommend doing the alignment trick the
: S&G guys use of putting a straight piece of wood across the
: bow and also the stern then getting back away from the hull and
: sighting across these two pieces to see if there is any twist.
: If these pieces are attached (strapped) to the hull they can be
: used to "wind" or "twist" the hull back into
: shape before the ends are fixed. Should eliminate most problems
: this way and once the ends are repaired should have a very
: straight and true hull.

: Bill H.

Thanks to everybody for the great feedback. I think I will try to split the hull on the forms first as you suggest Bill. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again,
Barry