: I found 1/8" dowels at Lowes that a poplar. I'm having to shave them
: down because they are too big. I thought of going thrnatural way but was
: concerned that the pith would be too big and weaken the rib.

: For 1/8 scale I think I'd use bass wood. You'll want something really
: stabile. Maybe a kiln dried hardwood. Your gunwales would be about 3/32 X
: 1/4. Try drilling holes in that. Ribs would be 1/32 X3/32.

: Roger

Try bamboo. Although bamboo is not wood, it surpass wood when it come to thin slicing. You can easily split it so thin that light can pass through. It also can be heat bent with just an alcohol lamp or a lighter.
For the rib, you can even buy sitzkabob (not sure how to spell this) skewer. Wood coffee stir will do also. Mumm..., Starbuck time.