: I'm building a hybrid night heron (first timer) and am about to put
: the first strip on for the deck. I haven't read anywhere how to
: start that first strip? I'm trying for stapleless construction
: but i don't see how thats possible one the first strip? Any
: suggestions? Also, as the first strip twists to stay flat on the
: forms a gap appears between strip and hull in the areas just
: behind and in front of the cockpit. Should i be making a rolling
: bevel on the underside of this first strip or is this a issue to
: address later when the deck is complete? Any play-by-play or
: other tips would be great!

: Thanks,

: Damian

Hi Damian,

I built a hybrid Night Heron too. Without staples using only hot glue and tape to hold the strips. I started the deck with a pair of strips running along the top so that I could control the middle joint and keep it perfectly straight. I knew that if it were not perfect I would focus on that during long paddle trips. My next strips were along the hull. These were with a rolling bevel. As I recall I spent hours with a heat gun forming those first strips so that they would lay perfectly where they were supposed to. That reduced the need for anything stronger that the hot glue to hold them in place. Those first strips bend and twist a heck of a lot so it took a bit of work to get them shaped perfectly. Subsequent strips didn't need anywhere near that much attention.

Good luck,
Kyle T.