Hi;
To answer both you and Pawel. I finally got some results. This is what I did. I cut at the Rudder on the boat's centerline just a teensy bit deeper than you're supposed to oughta. Then I did the same at the Bow. I then glued them ( the ends ) together and let sit overnight.
Yesterday about dinner time or just after I removed the clamps and set about shaping them gently with a fingernail. Well, after spritzing them lightly with water and gently drawing my fingernail around the Bow and Stern edges and the interior of the boat bottom, lengthwise, it now looks like a Bona Fide Lifeboat.
As per both suggestions I have done both and decided this. I have the plastic and at least three of the right kind of boat in the right size. I will get out my Mattel Vac-U-Form and make up a few bunches. This way I can also detail the inside of one, say undergoing an inspection by the captain?
I forgot about the Vac-U-From till my Landlady suggested it! Just in case you find yourself in the same quandary, the Life-Boats from the Shell Welder are the same size. I knew that old kit would be worth something!
Addendum;
I got the boats Vac-U-Formed, Painted and with strongbacks in them. They fit perfect. Now to find one I can use as a smaller mold on both ship's smaller boats.