Incremental, but huge progress. The cover is on and taunt - you can bounce a quarter off of it; it seems like you could play a snare drum too, but I wouldn't. A friend said the cover is one bird sinking its claws into the cover to pop a hole.
The tape you see was to prevent the three layers of varnish on the deck from dripping on the boat. I missed a spot, so I know where a drip line is (and I'll never tell anyone else).
The previous owner stopped by and texted me: "The hull is beautiful! Outstanding work. And I like the material on the "deck." Nice job."
And, one more important thing, the boat is in our garage and the family cannot wait until it is OUT OF THE GARAGE.
But, now that I am nearing completion, I am having these conversations, "where do I store it?" Originally, my plan was to keep it on the lake with a cover next to my other shell. My hosts and others said, "don't do it" as someone will either steal, damage or do something nefarious to it." My plan A is to put it on a sawhorse in the driveway so I can use it. Plan B is to buy a culvert and cut it in two, hinge it and store it in there. This culvert plan seems a little sketchy.