: My SOF if just about ready to be skinned but if i sit in it the
: ribs pop out?! The ribs are rounded (not squared). If I lash the
: ribs to the gunales I am worried that the rib stock will just
: spit where I drill the hole. My brother thinks that the skin
: will hold it all together in the end. Is that a safe assumption
: or should I get this figured out before I skin it? Any
: suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Aaron,
That would happen to any unskinned kayak if the ribs aren't fastened somehow to the gunwale, the skin will prevent it happening in use.
But if you want to make sure, do a lashing around the rib with a locking knot or bend and around the gunwale.
This works well with round ribs such for a biadarka where it would be difficult to drill and pin the rib ends.
Drilling a 'flat' rib for lashing is ok, just found the edges of the hole so the line doesn't cut into the wood, this will lessen any splitting tendency.

Mike Savage
South West Cork