Thanks for the response, George. Steaming would indeed work. I happen to have a setup already for hot soaking strips up to 4' long, so I went with it. You may want to see my post of January 5 at http://www.bearmountainboats.com/peertalk/, which describes my method of bending laminated canoe stems. I will look up your references in the back copies of WoodenBoat I may have on hand. Thanks again for the references. - John

: Rather than soaking you may want to try steam bending. The drying time will
: be reduced. If you have access to back issues of "WoodenBoat"
: here are some articles on the subject culled from their online index. The
: designations are volume/page.

: Steambox:/comments on use by Ed McClave, 88:50
: Steambox:/comments on use by Simon Watts, 88:58
: Steambox:/design/Jerry Stelmok, 142:55
: Steambox:/examples from readers, photos, plans, 88:51
: Steambox:/foam construction/Christopher Cunningham, 109:70
: Steam-bending:/commentary by Simon Watts, 88:58
: Steam-bending:/for building a Haisla dugout canoe, 69:64
: Steam-bending:/wood characteristics for, 29:14
: Steam-bending, canoe ribs:/technique/Jerry Stelmok, 29:68
: Steam-bending, stems:/Rangeley Lake boat/Ed McClave, 33:74