I just finished stripping the deck yesterday and cut out the cockpit recess today!

Question.. After re-stripping for the recess should I cut out the cockpit hole before or after glass? My brain say before but I bet it doesn't matter.

Also does anyone have any comments on building the recess with those knee braces built in (you know at the front of the cockpit protruding in)? Like are they usefull on the guillemot or is the recess itself good for this?

Thanks

dave g