I have a 12ft thompson row boat that was fiberglassed in the past. I removed the fiberglass with some effort but it came off of the hull. Now I find that I need to replace a rotted stem, and numerous ribs from about the middle of the boat forward. The fiberglass was old, probably polyester?
Question: how did they bend these ribs in the first place?
I think they are made of cedar? I do know that the ribs were bent over a form of the boat with metal bands, and when the planks were nailed on the copper/brass tack would contact the metal and cinch into the wood rib.
Were the ribs steamed and then bent over the form?
I plan on applying canvas. [/url]
12 ft row boat restoration
Moderators: a j r, TDockside, Miles, Moderators
Welcome aboard,
Yes the ribs were steam bent. As was the stem. Yes, they were bent over a form or jig. The photo below is circa 1962 at Peshtigo showing the form/jig and ribs being bent. This is a lapstrake boat. But the basic principal is the same for your boat type.
Ribs may be northern white cedar or western red cedar. They may also be white oak.
Andreas
Yes the ribs were steam bent. As was the stem. Yes, they were bent over a form or jig. The photo below is circa 1962 at Peshtigo showing the form/jig and ribs being bent. This is a lapstrake boat. But the basic principal is the same for your boat type.
Ribs may be northern white cedar or western red cedar. They may also be white oak.
Andreas