Hi I am in the process of building a 4 board canoe and have the ribs milled out 1/2 round 1/4" by 5/8" red elm on 6" centers the planking will be 1/4 basswood.Now I am wondering if I should have made them larger.My qustion is are my rib size going to be big enough strong enough to keep the hull shape fare over the long term, or will i run into problems by not having the ribs heavier? Or should I mill some new stock at a heavier demension?What was the normall size rib used on a wide board?Thanks Bill
rib size
- Thread starter bill w
- Start date
Paul Miller
Canoe Nut
Hi Bill,
I have a wide board with rectangular ribs 5/16 by 5/8,; also have a few wide boards with half round ribs and they go a bit thicker 7/16 to 1/2 as to provide that same area of material you would need to make the half round thicker.
If possible you could put the ribs closer together instead of the usual 5 or 6 inches.
You might want to mill new rib stock.
Good luck,
Paul
I have a wide board with rectangular ribs 5/16 by 5/8,; also have a few wide boards with half round ribs and they go a bit thicker 7/16 to 1/2 as to provide that same area of material you would need to make the half round thicker.
If possible you could put the ribs closer together instead of the usual 5 or 6 inches.
You might want to mill new rib stock.
Good luck,
Paul
Paul Thanks for the response. As I already have the keelson notched at 6" centers I may go and add more notches at 3" centers to add the extra ribs to get enough strength. Then I will probably rabbet the planks and use a flush full length batten instead of the single razed batten between each rib. thanks again Bill
Dave Osborn
LIFE MEMBER
Hi Bill!
Post pics of your project!
Dave
Post pics of your project!
Dave
