Hi Chris,

> I've gone throught (most of) the archives and can't seem to find pros and
> cons to leaving hardwood stems in the boat vs. leaving attached to the
> forms.

Leaving hardwood stems in the boat: Easy to glue strips to, but extra weight

Leaving attached to forms: Makes end strips somewhat more difficult to hold in place, but less weight

My solution: Shaped cedar inner stems

You don't really need all that strength once the boat is completed, especially with a good glassing schedule and the hardwood outer stems. I figure the cedar inner stems will add a bit of strength inside, where I'll glass normally and maybe add a length of 3" 9-oz. tape over the bow inner stem, just for impact resistance.

Shawn

> I'm planning on 1/2 plywood forms, If I choose 'leave in the boat', would
> simply cutting the end forms at the bevel line be OK or should shaped
> hardwood be used?