: Can someone explain the front stem philosophy? Form 1 seems to
: interfere with the internal stem. Do I cut the point of form 1
: off so it is flush with the bottom of the internal stem? What is
: the point of the slight lift at the rear of the internal stem
: from the bow form? The photo below shows the stem in place
: before I bevel it and attach it semi-permanently. I am looking
: at page 235 of Nick's latest book (Building Strip-Planked
: Boats), but the photo is a little washed out in that area and it
: is not clear what that area looks like.

The internal stem gives you something for the ends of the strips to be glued to and adds strength. It isn't an add-on to the form. It should take the place of part of it (ie remove material from the form and then replace it with the same shape in whatever material you're making the stem out of.. hot glued to the lower part of the form). So essentially you have a form with a break-away edge. You glue the strips to it, and when you take the boat off of the forms, the edge stays with the strips.... The large part of the form stays on the strongback.