Re the lower the boat to the frame thing: I avoided that by just getting a couple of 8' 2 x 8 planks and setting them up a foot or so on both sides of the boat. I had the planks so it was easier.
My thoughts are the same as Fallguy's, check for air bubbles. Re the roller, he means use that during the wet out, not now of course. Instead of a screwdriver I poke on places like that with a box cutter and cut them out if they are bubbles. Then you can be sure the surrounding glass is secure or wa...
You might do a search on waterlines. It seems I remember some people angle theirs up a bit at the bow, for looks. Just a little I would think, not sure. Somebody else will chime in I bet.
Good progress! Your struggles with the bow panels made me remember mine with the LB22. I like to never got 'em right. Had to kerf it all in the end but you'd never know now to look at it. You are dead right: patience and persistence wins.
I made sure the boat was level (i.e. the stringers were level). Then I used a cheapo laser to draw the line. A simple bubble level would have worked just as well. A clear tube with water in it. One end at the bow and move forward in increments with the other end to mark the line.
Best wishes to you Jacques. Sounds like a really bad injury and some amazing surgery. My wife broke her knee cap years ago and had to go 6 months in a straight leg brace so I know it's not easy.
Yes you will be much better off with a grab rail. I started to post the other day about its sensitivity to movement of the tiller and should have. I nearly fell out once and that was just with the 5 hp tohatsu! Takes a bit to get used to it--it's a sports car :D I put a cooler in front of the grab r...