: Hi,
: I'm doing my first SOF, using Cunningham book as my guide.

: 1) Why does he spec the rib thickness at 3/8", when many other
: designs use 1/4"? I realize he has me thinning the bend
: areas to 5/16" but it still seems like overkill. How about
: 5/16", thinned to 1/4" at the bends?

: 2) I'm using White Cedar for the gunwales, keelson, chines. I've
: heard it bends nicely, and wondered if I could use it for ribs
: also? IOTW, are hardwood ribs really necessary?

: Thanks.

Hardwoods tend to steam bend better than softwoods. The wet heat allows the wood to be bent and then when cooled maintain the bent shape without force. White oak and red oak steam bend very well. Ash is farther down the list. The width of ribs is wider or the ribs are closer together when they are thinner. Cedar is light and cold bends to more gradual bends nicely. The cold bent gunwales, keel and stringers are held into position by the force exerted by the deck beams or ribs and the lashings.