A week has past since I placed my first strip! What a difference! A trip to Irvine for a kayak builders gathering allowed me to see what to expect in process and for a finished result. I certainly suggest it to all those considering building their first kayak. My hull now has strips within inches of the newly placed keel strips. I modified my strip cutting saw setup to include a horizontal featherboard (yes, I must adjust it after every cut) and the resulting strips are all the same thickness, within a few thousanths. I continue to staple and hope to finish the hull this week.

My question ... Can I pull staples and begin sanding before I turn the kayak over to work on the deck?

Thanks to all the inputs, Steve in San Diego