> I spent part of yesterday helping a friend do some stitching on his
> Seascape and it was a good educational experience for me. I have this Coho
> kit in my unheated garage and it is still to cold out (here in Central NY)
> to do any epoxy work. I would like to do some productive things now, if
> possible.

> A) is there any reason not to start drilling my stitching holes even
> though I have not yet glued the panels to length?

> B) Yesterday I saw the value of using a plane. On the inside edge of those
> curved panels a 7" long plane may not work well. Any suggestions on a
> size/model plane for this job? I probably will have little use for it
> after the boat is done (except for the next boat), so an expensive tool
> would be a waste I think.

> C) are there any other little things I can do now, before it is warm
> enough to start with any epoxy steps?

> D) any other stray hints or suggestions?

> Thanks to all who post on this board. I think I have learned a lot already
> just from reading stuff here.

Doug, I live in central N.Y. also and understand your frustration. Putting the panels together is tedious job even when working in warm conditions and takes a lot of time. I would suggest you get started in your unheated garage. Here is how it can work: use a space heater to warm the area some. store and mix your epoxy in a warm place. Make an insulated box with low wattage light bulb inside. After taping the seam (s) cover it with the box-lightbulb. You will have to leave the bulb on till the epoxy cures. I made one with a thermostat that controls the temp very well.

The only seam that gets beveled on the Coho is the sheer and a block plane makes quick work of this job, you could make this bevel with sandpaper wraped around a wood block. If you really want a plane, get a good low angle block plane with an adjustable throat. Stanley and Record make good reasonably priced ones. In your area, check Woodworkers Warehouse for planes.

Larry C.