Hi Ron, Your not the first, Mine isn't 26" long but I had the same problem on my Guillemot. I started out by Taping the two together every place they matched, which wasn't much. I then cut 2x4's the same width as the forms for the areas that were out. I ended up with a couple on each side of the hatches a few between the forward hatch and the cockpit two in the cockpit area and about the same aft the cockpit I was able to get the seam matched up pretty well. I then taped the (%$!@) out of it. I don't think there was a stitch of hull/deck showing that wasn't taped. The duct tape guys would have been proud if it wasn't packing tape! I didn't think it would stay put but it did! I left the 2x4's in place and removed them as I got to them with the glassing process. In the end I got a little movement that I ended up filling on the outside. It's not the way I had hoped it would go but all is well in the end. One thing I should warn you about. When time came to put my flush mount hatches back they were no longer flush due to the pushing of the deck to get the seam to match. The deck was more round then the hatches. I ended up putting a strong back across the inside of the forward hatch and forcing the hatch to conform to it. Good luck, and have faith it will work out.