: This is interesting, because I had thought that I could take Nick's plan and
: set the stations on a strongback that could collapse and notch each
: station for the keel, sheer, chine and centerline and insert stringers.
: Then put some ribs for support for the stringers and have a good looking
: SOF.

You could probably save some time by simply making only a few of the frames, and cutting out the insides of them, leaving you with "ribs".

You would want the stem forms, to give the ends shape, and probably the first form in from each end. Skip to the middle of the boat, and use a form at each end of the cockpit, and "u" shaped forms between them in the cockpit area (open on top) so you'll have a place to mount floorboards. Then go back and put in one or two forms between the cockpit and each end. You don't need many to maintain the shape. that comes up to a total of 6 to 8 full forms, and the open-top forms in the cockpit -- plus the stem forms.

As long as you have the plans, you can always start with assembling the cockpit and just running your chines to the stems. Then, wherever you feel you need a support, you just consult the plans and cut the nearest form, which should fit perfectly. This may be a little bit of a backwards way to do things, but it keeps you from building more than you need.

If you want, you can use the forms' plans as guides for steam-bent ribs, instead. If you want to be cheap, cut out only the largest form, use it as a bending jig for a rib, cut the same plywood down to the size of the next form, again use it as a bending jig, and keep repeating the process. Eventually your plywood will be the size of the smallest form -- or disappear -- and you'll have a stack of ribs in front of you.

PGJ