I'm hoping some here have experience building the Njord, one of Bjorns models. I'm finishing up stripping the deck, and have a minor problem to address.

There's a dramatic transition from behind the paddler, to the front of the cockpit. You can't strip across this section (not easily, anyway, and Bjorn advises against it), but as I move from the middle to the sides, I'm at that point where I need full-length strips. From about the 9th form to the 8th (I think), the strips take a 'dive' . If I continue on that trajectory, I'll have a 'pocket' on the deck, directly behind the back of the coaming. I'd expect this section should be at least as high as the lowest form, likely #8. Only way to do that, that I can see, is to place another similar height form anterior to #8, so that area is flat, to aid that transition going forward.

I haven't built a Njord.
I've built a Frej which has a similar deck shape, and also a Panthera (new name for the NoName Fast Touring Kayak) which has a deck design derived from Njord.
The cockpit area in those boats is tricky - I was glad I planned to use paint from the outset, vs a natural finish.
I also wanted to have the deck 'curve down' toward the cockpit opening, to provide better thigh support. so I changed one or two of the deck forms.

What cockpit size/style are you using?
Are you using a 'support panel' in the cockpit area to try to keep the coaming profile flat?
Are you planning any recess (at the front or back) for the cockpit coaming?

Without a picture of the lines and stations it's a bit hard to visualize what's happening around #8/9,
Can you snap a pic of that part of the lines?