: Instead of re-cutting the cockpit recess opening, you might simply
: use a rough grit sandpaper wrapped around rolled-up magazines or
: newspaper. Western red cedar is a soft wood -- you'd have the
: vertical cut and a very fair curve very quickly.

: Sandpaper wrapped around magazines (taped in the rolled position)
: is also great for sanding the inside of strip kayaks and canoes.

: John

Good tip - especially for sanding the inside of the kayak.

I used a 'knock off' of a japanese double-edge saw for my cutout - very flexible, and easy to keep a vertical cut, even around the tight curves (I curve the blade lengthwise for those cuts - it doesn't curve perpendicularly).