: Well, that's why I suggest using lower grade wood for the first
: test or two.

: Should we expect we'll get something new "right" the
: first time?

: If you use your "best" wood you WILL want it to be
: perfect the first time.

: Perfection is the enemy of good!

: It's like getting a new computer program and having to finish a job
: with it for a deadline. A recipe for hell.
: You need non stressed time to play with a new program to learn it.

: Similarly, you will do much better learning the new and unusual
: shapes and techniques needed to build the baidarka bow and stern
: by playing with lower quality wood you don't care so much about.
: You can make your mistakes and learn on parts you won't be
: looking at for the next twenty years.

: I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
: Confusius Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

: All the best,
: Rob

: PS. I still make plenty of mistakes, I'm just better at hiding
: them!

: PSS. When I see a mistake, I don't think twice, I fix it!

Hmmm...I'm still going to do this, but expect I'll only do it once, may take me several tries to do it once though :)

Bill H.