mikiek

I appreciate your rapid response. 

In two or three days I will begin assembling the hull on the Dallas.  I will follow your instructions. 

Am I correct in the belief that the measurement begin with a straight strange?

Thanks for your time 

Chuck

Chuck - for measuring the frame edges the best method is also the hardest. You'll need to mark where the top edge of the upper most plank will be. Do this on each frame. Then mark where the bottom edge of the bottom most plank will be. This might be a frame or it could be deadwood depending on your build and where the bands end.

Next you need to measure the between the upper and lower mark on each frame. I take a piece of string, put one end on the frame edge at your top mark then run the string down, following the edge, to the lower mark. Do something to notate the bottom spot on the string. Then take the string and stretch it out and measure the distance. Do this for each frame. Note doing this eliminates some (but not all) of the curvature error. Someone the other day used tape instead of string to do this. That might be a good idea just make sure whatever you use stays flush with the frame edge. It's important to get an accurate read for this.

Once you have the total distance for each frame edge, divide that number by the number of bands and you get the width of a band for each frame. If you used tape, you can mark the bands on the tape, put the tape back on the frame edges and then mark the edges. What you want to end up with is something like this

Understand 

Will leave you alone tonight 

Thanks  so much