: 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.

Rather than drilling holes, why not burn them. Heat a needle in a candle flame and when it gets red hot press it against the wood. Burns through thin stuff neatly, with a scorch mark that can be mostly sanded away. Use the fat end of your needle, and your hole will be big enough to stitch through, so you can use a needle (or a needle threader) to guide the thread through for your lashings.

Seems like it could be authentic, too. Did native builders use drills or burn their holes for lashing? I'm not sure.

PGJ