Jeff, that is one of the most entertaining threads I've ever read on any forum! Anyone who doesn't click on it is missing out hugely. Go back three posts right now and do so...

So anyway I am fascinated by your bateau...you actually managed to plane those planks down to 1/2" and they stayed sound??? Cool. Is that yellow pine? Sure is knotty, I gather you haven't had any real problems with that so far. Another good thing to know. Everyone seems to want to build boats out of 18' clear stock--like, dream on.
There is a tradition around here of building white pine flat bottom sharpies. I have a notion (not being a re-enactor) that you could use easily-available weatherproof deck screws to good effect.

A guy I know from an e-mail list who is a forestry contractor in the south described the extremely curious circumstances of a contract he does gathering pine tar (at least I think that was what he was describing), which, I kid you not, he claims is still considered by the U.S. government to be a "strategic resource"--they get a bunch and lock it up every year. I could put you in touch.

Finally, Jeff, it's interesting you should mention the concept of adding a plank or two on top--I had already figured out that that's what I'd do, in fact I took a 1" plank off the top and figured I'd just rip it down the middle, re-attach the pieces and hence flare the sides. It won't do anything for hull stability, but will keep some water out and let me fit my butt in the boat...

Amos sent me an interesting link relating to an ultra-skinny Aleutian kayak design: www.guillemot-kayaks.com/Building/Guillemot/Aleutesque/index.html

Folks, I'm approaching a moment of truth here. Having cut the horizontals of the bottom and top (sheer), I have to actually shape the hull now...I figure that comes before I start hollowing it out from the top, otherwise I could be in a spot of bother...well, here goes nothin. Keep them interesting links and suggestions coming.

W-O