: Internal stems, external stems, no stems......I'm confused on what
: to do and not entire clear on my options. My son and I are
: building a 14 foot Great Auk, and had planned on not using
: internal or external stems, but rather alternate strips past the
: end of the forms since we're following Nick's book. I recently
: found though that Nick now suggests using an internal stem. What
: are all the options, and what do most guys like? I've got the
: forms all set-up on the strong back, and ready to start
: stripping, but I guess it's not too late to cut the stems off
: and tape on some internal ones.

This an example of how one thing gets twisted and distorted into something else.

Ted Moores introduced the separate internal and external "stems" method in his book "CanoeCraft" to solve a problem
he had with glassing. He found when he used a second layer of glass for seam reinforcement, like you would over the stems,
This second layer of glass would be visible as a definite lighter colored area. For purely aesthetic reasons, he used internal and
external stem pieces to eliminate this glass stem reinforcement. I repeat, he DID NOT ADD A LAYER OF GLASS OVER THE STEMS.

This was carried over into his kayak building also resulting in "sheer clamps" to join the hull and deck of a kayak WITHOUT an external
glass reinforcing layer.

Few people seemed to understand this and made internal and external stems AND added a second layer of glass reinforcement over them.

Why? Well having a break of your glass at the stems and seams just seems wrong, right?

Anyway, a lot of people like the "look" of contrasting colored external stems. So be it.

Is making and working with internal and external stems easier than simply joining strips at the stems. It's another hoop to jump through before you can
start stripping your boat.

I think it's more work and added weight. And I love a lightweight boat.

I've built over 70 boats without stem pieces and have had no calls with problems.

It's your choice!

All the best,
Rob