: I'm a newbie building a Cape Ann and dovetailed up the complete bow
: and stern. How might one suggest transistioning keel strips into
: the really narrow, built-in stems?
: I guess I'm hoping there's pics with a similar treatment.
: I've been reading this forum for years and appreciate all your
: guidance thus far.
: Thanks, Jim Schaffer

Normally I'd strip the whole bottom and leave the ends until that's done. You don't really want to change the lines of the boat, so if you're adding an external stem you need to cut back the strips to make room for the stem. I mark how far back I want to go, on both sides, then use my beltsander to cut it back to that line. Then it's just tapered into the bottom.

I like to use laminated hardwood for the stems and I do it with alternating strips of light and dark wood, I like the contrast. I had mahogany so used that and ash.

Bill H.