I am currently working on my 5th stripper and believe me, the keel/bottom area of each one presents a new set of challanges each time. Why? ...because I use different width strips and I play withe the filler strips and how much I want them to bend.

All books show a very idealized situation. I build with flat strips that I bevel with a block plane. The "old" Nick Shade method. My joints are tight.

I find it easiest to run a center strip 1/4" x 1/4" down the center of the keel once I have about a foot of stripping built up on each side of the hull. Why 1/4 x 1/4 ?- it makes the end cuts easier to achieve. Then I work from the sides or parallel to that strip, ...whatever is easiest or how I feel artistically. This seems to make it more controllable.

I even have resortet to using small pieces on some tough cases. As long as you fill it with wood. (the same color) Once It's sanded, it will look like a Stradavarious. Your going to beef up that area with extra glassing and a filet of epoxy on the inside - so it will be plenty strong. The bottom/keel junction is the toughest area, especially for a first timer. If you have to do a tough compound cut, you can work on the end where the fit is, and make it a two ft long piece and then do a scarf joint with the remaining run. This some times makes it more manageable.

Don't worry. Just fill it with wood piece by Piece and it will turn out fine. Don'tworry about strength. I t will be there. good luck.