[squirell nutkin]

Each station is a vertical cross section at that point of the hull. The stations are perpendicular to the keel. The buttocks are vertical sections parallel to the keel,spaced at one foot intervals, then there are another set of sections parallel to the waterline called waterlines.

When you look at the end view or the plan view you will see each of those lines. The table of offsets gives you coordinate points that you layout on a sheet of plywood then connect the dots to get the shape of the station.

You cut out all the stations, assemble them to the keel temporarily, then bend thin battens called ribbands, along the stations to mimic planking. Then you can determine where your ribs will go and what shape they are. You steam and bend them to shape and clamp them in position to the ribbands. When they are all inplace (mortised to the keel and everything) you begin taking the ribbands off and replacing them with planking.

That may be confusing. I may have to scan some more pictures to show.