: I have two questions if you don't mind. I am in the planning stages
: of building my first kayak and it too will very likely be the
: Guillemont.

: So here goes:

: 1. What steps do I take to prevent this twisting problem in the
: first place? Would a plywood box section strongback (as
: described in Nick's book) be stronger than a 2 x 4 strongback
: and thus prevent this problem. Can I check the length of my
: first strips very carefully, remove them and fix things, if they
: start out a little off? How many rows of strips before this
: twist starts appear in the partially completed hull?

Hi Greg

Speaking as a relative novice (I recently finished stripping my first, also a Guillemot). Strength of the strongback isn't really an issue. I used 2x4 framing timber. Flex up/down shouldn't be a problem since it is 4" high. Flex sideways is definitely an issue. BUT once you staple the sheerline strips on, it stiffens up a great deal. Getting those sheerline strips stapled securely and such that the whole strongback and especially the ends are dead straight is critical.

Note as well as aligning the end forms so they are in line with the centreline, it is also important to ensure they are aligned vertically. I didn't have a problem with the end forms once they were secured on the strongback, and now that I've finished with it I'm relieved to report it (and the boat) are still in alignment.

Once the sheerline strips are on, it's a much stiffer assembly, and you really can't go wrong with subsequent strips. I checked each time I put a new row on for the first few rows, but it was never out, and by the time you have three or four rows on you know it will be stiff enough to accommodate anything you throw at it.

Here's what I did for mounting the forms and aligning the strongback, in case it helps!
http://ianjohnsonz.wordpress.com/category/guillemot-kayak/3-strongback/

: 2. I was planning to install a solid internal wooden stem. From
: Nick's book this piece gets temporarily attached to the end of
: the bow and stern forms. How?

I didn't use one and I now understand why many do, in hindsight I would have used it. Check out the videos on Nick's site, there is one about shaping and fitting internal stems.

: Greg