Hi Tcroak, 

i am not sure i get exactly the problem you are describing.....other than at the ends of the chesapeake, there is not much in the way of deck beam to pop the deck into a curve and you are relying on pulling down tightly on the sides  of the deck to get it to conform to the angle cut into the shear clamp which should give a slight arch to the deck all the way out to the ends.

so first, make sure your shear clamps have the curve cut into them.

second, when setting up the deck use fibreglass reinforced strapping tape to pull down the sides of the deck to match the curve of the shear clamp.  you have to pull hard....and try not to break the deck when performing this task.   

i would recommend to do a test fitting as you seem to already have done with the strapping tape as well to rehearse the whole operation prior to gluing and nailing.

a sample of fibreglass reinforced strapping tape is at this link...(not an endorsement....just an example)  https://www.amazon.com/Transparent-Reinforced-Fiberglass-BOMEI-PACK/dp/B07T1XVBGY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3GMZD9NPWZSNC&dchild=1&keywords=fiberglass+strapping+tape&qid=1631745937&sprefix=fibreglass+strap%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-3

hope that helps

h

   H,

Yes, this is what I was wondering. I did a test fit up yesterday and it just seemed like I had to put a lot of pressure on everything to get it to bend even just slightly.

Thanks for the tip on the fiberglass reinforced tape. Will give that a try.