Hi Alex,
I do not follow user's manual since I assembled bulkheads on keel. If you have ever seen manuals provided by Mantua, you could not be surprised
Anyways, you are again right, I know that strips should be placed horizontally, someone called my attention to this fact on MSW, I think. As per Mantua's plans, the stern should be covered by compact walnut veneer (not strips, but one piece of veneer). I did some mistake with that, so I had to cover it by strips. And because it is my first build and I had not experiences with it, I placed that strips wrongly. But I think it is does not look so bad. I know, from historic and shipwright point of view it is bad, but I absolutely do not want to try to make EXACT copy of ship, how she has been built in 17th century. I am satisfied, that she looks good for me
If I will build some next ship, once current will be completed, I will place strips correctly
I am thinking about Sovereign of the seas, but current model will take me 2 years to finish, I think.
All the best !
Michal