: So I built the North Alaska Recovery Kayak as shown in Sea Kayaker of October
: '98. It's a skin-on-frame ten footer. As per instructions, the keelson was
: attached to the gunwhales before any of the ribs were bent and installed.
: When time comes to install the ribs, the keelson is actually an obstacle,
: something I'm thinking will happen again on the Umiak I'm working on now.
: So tell me, is there any reason the ribs can't precede the keelson
: installation? It would sure simplify getting those ribs fitted into their
: mortises. They could be tweeked as needed for fair lines, then the keelson
: could be laid over them.

I agree, it must be an obstacle. So why not make a temporary 'keelson' that goes under the ribs, giving them their respective hts for checking. After ribs installed, sew on the real keelson, and remove the temp one (could even be 3 pcs of ply screwed together. That way you can even design in some varying keelson curvature to give say longer waterline and more upturned ends.

When I come around to something like the 'recovery', I'll for sure do something like this, if in only to be certain the shape is what I want. And no fumbling either. And you know, I might even attach a stringline to the side, just for old times sake!!

-mick