With the ski under arrest (without charge) at the prow, slide the ski forward along the keel until it bends to the comeliest shape you could possibly imagine on a boat.
You're probably wondering where precisely this should be, but it's a practise that is passed down over generations. By way of a tip, if you hear yourself shouting "Yeah baby, oh yeah baby!" then it's probably about right... add screws to secure.
You may notice that the ski is a fraction short, for it should in fact overhang the rear of the keel by around 160mm so as to match the length of the lats: this is to enable the boat to be stood on its rear-end for drainage and subsequent storage. I refuse to buy any more material at this stage, however, and shall patch it with an off-cut.
If it helps, the length of the boat is around 2050mm and the ski circa 2100 or 83". I am trying to get all of these measures to match stock length of material, but at this stage prefect is the enemy of the good... as is the spell-checker.
I once considered writing spell-checked novels, and an excerpt from a Jane Austen read 'Darcy paused his letter-writing, penis in hand, as Elisabeth entered the room.'
