I'm quite new to Maya and I'm experencing a few problems modeling a boat.
My first problem is creating the hull. I've been advised to use the birail tool but I just can't get it right. I've created 3 curves and all points intersect as required, I just end up with a deformed shape. I've read the documentation supplied with maya and also viewed a video tutorial explaining the tool. I have no problem recreating the shapes shown in the tutorials, I just can't use the tool for a boat hull. I've been tempted just to scale and loft and end up with a poorer hull. But the birail tool seems like a excellent tool and I really want to understand it fully.

My second problem. I've created the the cabin by extruding polygon planes and lining the edges up so I can extrude shapes for the windows. I'd like to bevel the edges but it will only let me do it to parts of the edges. I can't understand why.

Hope somebody can help, you time is much appreciated.