With stripping completed and the recessed cockpit installed, I am starting to ponder what's next. I know I'm looking at fairing and final sanding prior to any glass work but at what point do I remove the forms? Hard to tell from the instructions. My guess is that they are suggesting after fairing and sanding the hull and deck but before beginning the exterior glass work.

I think I have read that with the forms in place, material removal during fairing can be quite different directly over and between the forms (12" span) which might suggest that the forms should be removed first. I have seen pictures of hulls with 1" x 2" stringers at the form locations to maintain the width accurately and the hull appears rigid enough to keep its shape with this arrangement. Would fairing and sanding be easier?

Or is it better to remove the forms after fairing and sanding -- or after fiberglassing the hull -- or after fiberglassing both the hull and deck?

Thanks for your opinion/advice.