Stephen,
These are all good ideas, but in the end the chisel is faster and cheaper. Cut your lines with a pull saw then just chisel away the remainder. Remember this work does NOT need to look pretty - do your best to cut a straight line with the pull saw, which you'd have to do anyway. The chisel work will take all of 5 minutes. In the end if it's not perfect the recess will have strips over it with glue to act as a filler. I made mine from spalted maple and without even using a practice piece (which was dumb, I'll admit) I had it cut, shaped and chiseled in about an hour. I had never used a chisel before either (at least not for its' intended purpose).

All the other ideas are very good but will probably take more time and effor than just biting the bullet and giving the chisel a go.

My $.02.

Darel

: Hey all,

: Back from vacation and looking at the sticking point on my kayak
: project: the upper bow. This needs a recess chiseled into it.
: I'm not familiar with working with chisels and my first attempt
: was... humorous.

: Is there a way I can do the upper bow piece without chiseling?

: Thanks,

: Stephen