Well after MUCH fighting with it. I found the problem. The bevel tool does not like to bevel rounded surfaces. Period. Regardless of which version I try the results are the same, even on a regular 20*20 sphere.
Also I've found out if you want to change anything, surface-wise, after you remove the control mesh from an SS surface it's nearly a lost cause.
Thanks anyways mattam, but I'll just try and find another way to model the shape I what. SS just doesn't seem to be the right way to go with this shape.
chrono