> One immediate question--when using plywood is it possible to install it
> with a convex bend from sheer to sheer and a concave bend from stem to
> cockpit?

Look at Nick's S&G design (offsets are free on his site). That is exactly what you get with his deck design - a very nice upward sweep at the stems, convex down to the cockpit, and covex from sheer to sheer for volume. The key is that it is a two piece deck, not one piece. I just got all of the pieces put together on mine, and it really is an attractive design - unlike any other S&G deck I've seen.