Hi to all. Thought I'd chime in to mention I've spent the past 48 hours with a block plane and a piece of Western redcedar, making my first-ever GP. I'm almost done. It looks great. My wife is somewhat stunned, since I'm not very handy and have never been a woodworker before now. I'll post a pic when it's done done. It's 219 cm, no shoulders. I'm going to epoxy the tips but just oil it everywhere else.

Making it was fun but somewhat exhausting. I did it the hard way, though--no power tools at all so far. Just the block plane and a handsaw. I will use a power rotary sander tomorrow, though. Tried to find a spokeshave at two different independent hardware stores, and neither knew what I was talking about!

Can't wait to get it out on the water.