We start with a look at the inside of the hull. You can see how the inside looks as it wraps around the form.

Today was the day that I laid the keel strips. The keel strips are two strips that run up the hull at the centerline. They join the keel together in the middle. Getting them straight and keeping them fair is an important part of builing the hull, from what I've read. Essentially I fit one end of the strip (the stern end, near the top of the picture) and then used some u-clamps to hold things in place while I marked the bow end of the strip. This didn't prove to work too well, I actually ended up attaching the stern end of the strip (staples & glue) so that my marks on the bow end would be accuate.

Here I'm checking the fit of the first keel strip at the stern end of the boat.

The first keel strip is in. Note that the center-side of the strip has a bevel run on it so that the two keel strips can butt up against each other (these will be glued) and form the centerline of the hull.

The process was going so well that I laid the second keel strip too. Now I'll concentrate on filling in one of those bell-shaped areas. I'll start on the section on the left side of the photo.

A close-up of the keel strips meeting up with the keel end of the boat.

A view from the side of the boat.

A diagonal view from the side of the boat. You can see I'm getting close. I'm getting pretty excited at this point.

And finally a low view from the front. You can really start to see what the hull will look like.