Even using nails, I aim to bevel and glue two strips per day on the mian parts of the hull and deck, one either side. I tend to keep my design symetrical. (The best nails for holding strips that I have found are called veneer pins. They are quite fine and leave a small neat hole).

If you can do this daily the project moves quite quickly... A maximum of perhaps seven weeks for the stripping. In some low stress areas one can do more, but life has to go on too.

If you have spare time on your hands it can be used to make up a skeg and skeg box, or rudder system, or glue up and glass bulkhead blanks, or carve a greenland paddle.

Many builders want to rush the planking, but end up fitting mass market skegs etc, when they could make nicer cheaper ones themselves if they were more patient with the stripping.

Even at two strips per day, I aim to finish a boat, start to finish, from cutting the strips and station formers, to final varnishing, seat carving and General fitting out, in four to six months. I don't think, apart from the professionals, anyone realistically expects to finish a strip boat more quickly than that, unless they have no day jobs and very understanding wives.

To me... choosing the right strip, deciding where to place the accents, heat-gunning the strip for a flat lay and bevelling the strip for a nice tight fit... that is the whole point of the exercise. I relish and enjoy the woodworking involved, and enjoy the time, without rushing to jam in as may strips as possible in the shortest time.

I'm not so crazy about masking up for gas warfare in a hot toxic room for the glassing days, but thankfully there are only four of those.

I guess what I am long-windedly trying to say is... Slow down and enjoy the journey... And don't feel guilty about taking the time. Any time spent in the pursuit of sanity is time well spent.

Et