While we have come to the subject of heat bending strips. I have recently found that paulownia takes a heat set similar to northern white cedar. That is, quite nicely.

John, I stopped at Goose Bay last Monday and at $10.50 a board foot, I'll stick with northern white cedar which I pay $2.50 a board foot. If I build a race boat, as you are, or when I'm another ten years older I may drop the dollars for the small weight savings over nwc.

If you travel to Goose Bay do you go to Highland Hardwoods in Brentwood, NH? A good source, but not for softwoods.

As to heat gun strip bending. I bend strips in place on the boat so I can immediately assess my progress. I do this by clamping the strip to be bent to the nearest station. More often strips need twisting. To clamp a strip to a station, capture the strip with a small spring clamp right next to the station. Then clamp the small spring clamp to the station using two larger spring clamps. Additionally I put a small spring clamp on the strip end which makes it easier to hold and makes it easier to apply torque.

For an overview of my stripping technique, check out the current issue of "WoodenBoat" magazine where I have an article showing how I strip build with hot glue, heat gun, and lots of spring clamps.

All the best,
Rob