: I think I'm going to have to learn to work in increments or maybe use shorter
: strips. My problems are more "work time" related rather than
: clamping technique.
: Mike

Don't cut your strips. You will see the joints even if you do them well, and the scarfs will take time to make as well. Use a different glue that you can take more time with.

In many places you will be using shorter strips anyway, as you approach the keel and as you work up the deck past the cockpit area.

Taking pains is fine, as long as it is part of the enjoyment of the process. In the end you will be putting it in the water and, sooner or later, if you are using it as much as you should, banging it off hard objects.

On the water you only see the deck yourself. That is where I put in most of my care and attention to the details, although others on this forum go to way more trouble in their designs than I do. Other paddlers will see the topsides, so what you do just below the gunwhale will be seen from the side. One accent strip one strip below the sheer looks good to me.

et