Took the Baidarka out for a saran wrap test the other day and had a new experience. When I was getting into the kayak it sounded like popcorn as every rib I touched snapped and cracked! What the heck! I used yellow cedar that was not great quality and wasted a day trying to steam bend it. So I got a 36" steel trough made and boiled the 5 day soaked ribs and used Brian Nystoms rib bending jig. Everything went off without a hitch. No breakage. The jig was helpful because there may have been undesirable spots, but unless it was right where the bend was, it didn't matter. BTW I did replace about three ribs that I didn't care for but didn't soak them and it made no difference.
There was alot happening so it could have been a number of things or any one thing. I tied down the keelson to the deak beams to prevent the ribs from popping out during my test and noticed later that I may have tied them a bit too tight as the ribs where forming a W shape. Another thought was that maybe the space between the Keelson and first bottom stringer was too great causing a weak spot but, after examining many photos of other boats it seems my spacing is bang on. What is different though is that my stringers are smaller as is the keelson, perhaps not leaving enough space between the skin and ribs?? Shouldn't the wood be more forgiving? What about the guy jumping on his frame to show the strength? Any thoughts?