Now that I understand the way to do a stem, when should I install it? I was thinking of doing it after I removed the stem forms, but before I removed the other forms. This way I could put a small fillet of thickened epoxy on the inside of the stems (very small fillet), let it cure and then plane off the outside of the stem to about 3/8" thickness and then install two 3/16" ash strips bent around the stem. Once cured I could plane, sand and fair the hull with the stem installed and have the remaining forms in for added support.

What is the order others have used?

I also have some sugar maple and cherry left over from another project. Has anyone used something other than ash? Oak would be nice, but I have heard it doesn't bond well to epoxy.

Thanks