Not a T- just a section plywood cut to shape- I show a tracing with some more pictures here:
http://curtishomestead.net/Nikumi/Nikumi_Skin_On_Frame.htm
I originally coated it with clear polyurethane- eventually it turned a weird yellow brown which I didn't like so I painted over it with white- the paint cracked and started coming loose once the outdoor temperatures dipped below 40 degrees. I recently re-skinned it and used varnish with white pigment added for the hull and ultramarine blue added for the deck- It looks pretty nice now. We'll see how it holds up with this winter's paddling.