: I'm nearly completed with my first strip hull. I decided to use rolling
: bevels rather than cove & bead and go stapleless. I have been striving
: for very tight joints between strips, as we all do, but there are places
: where it didn't work out the way I would have liked. My rolling bevels and
: dry fits seem to be very tight, although in the gluing and clamping
: process things start to get a little chaotic. I'm using Titebond II and
: mostly full length strips. By the time I get the glue applied along the
: strip and then get back to fit and clamp it in place, the glue has
: sometimes started to skin over and in some places I don't get the fit I
: want. Just cant squeeze it tight enough I would love to have more work
: time. Would a slow set epoxy work better? Maybe I should be leaving a
: little wedge space in the bevel for the glue?

: I'm sure everyone has run into this. Any good solutions? I know there are
: some masters out there.

: I read about all the different ways to clamp strips in place but some seem to
: require so much time. How can you afford it? For instance, Hot glue laces,
: this seems like it would take forever to do. I have been using spring
: clamps and plywood L brackets at the forms and 2 clamps with binders
: between each one to hold pressure against the previous strip. They seem to
: go on quick but not quick enough I guess.

: Thanks
Your kayak is looking, Great !!! #1 I used many rolls of cheap Packing Tape. I wrapped the tape around everything, (strong back etc.) to get a tight seam. If the seam wasn't tight, after applying tape,I forced wooden wedges in between the tape. #2 I also used wooden screws and a electric drill. I placed wooden screws into the wooden clamps and attached to the frame, instead of useing clamps. #3 I placed a wooden screw into the side of the frame across from the strip being added on and spring clamped the strip to the wooden screw. ( one and a half inch wooden screw, leave half of screw out of frame)

#4 Be aggresive almost MAD at it!!!! The seam has to be tight! The seam has to be tight !! The extra effort is well worth it. Many have been there and have the kayak to show for it. You will also, a strip at a time.