> Hi Jack- Welcome to qayaq building. Can't help you with the ribs except to
> mention that a hardwood supplier,boat builder, furniture maker or high
> school woodshop are the places to look to get your flatsawn ribstock from.
> My first qayaq was built from Boucher's video and this what I learned
> about ribs... make them 1/4 " thick and soak them for at least 3 days
> before you use them. In Sea Kayaker magazine Chris Cunningham had a two
> part article on building a Greenland qayaq covered in 15oz canvas, he
> describes building a rib bending jig and I strongly advise you to get the
> articles( available from the magazine ) and build the rib jig. Boucher
> advises about 18 degrees of deadrise in the middle, this is way too much
> and contributes to a tippy boat especially if you are a beginner- try for
> 9 degrees of deadrise in the middle, to do this you will need to increase
> the depth of the chines to 1-1.125" X 3/4" thick and reducing
> the keelson to 1" in depth... this will make for a flatter bottom.
> Boucher's video is pretty good overall.

Forgot to mention to place the chines a bit closer together than one would for an 18 degree deadrise.

> For inspiration visit Harvey Golden's excellent website -
> home.pacifier.com/~qayaq/

> Persistence pays off!

> Tom