Backside repair or replace?

[Brly]

Title says it all. I'm bending replacements for broken ribs now and have enough stock to replace this and another that isn't as bad.

 

[Michael Grace]

Depends on your taste and the situation. If this were a hard user, not rare, and there were a series broken ribs, replacement would be the best option. If it's a pleasure canoe for use on lakes, rare, and only one rib is cracked as it appears here, a backside repair might be best. Your canoe is probably somewhere between these to ends of a spectrum. Still, after seeing the photos if this were me, I'd do a backside repair. It's quick, easy, and done well it's strong. Plus everything is there - this isn't a displaced fracture with missing wood. Whenever I've done such a repair a crack in the bilge like this, I back it up on the inside with a custom-fitted block of wood (covered with plastic so it's non-stick) to restore and maintain the proper curvature of the rib.

Michael

 

[Brly]

Michael,
I was hoping for this response. It's a 1951 Otca, so not rare or historically significant, but I'd rather not tear it apart any more than I have to. There's one other cracked rib 3 or 4 ribs away, similar to this but not as bad, so I'm not worried about a weak spot. Couple broken ribs in both the bow and stern that I'm replacing currently.
Thanks,
Ben

 

[Dave Osborn]

I’ve done hundreds of back side repairs with no failures. It’s easy, fast, and saves original patina.
If a rib is totally disarticulated, or rotten, I’d replace them.

 

[Brly]

Thanks Dave. I did the back side repair tonight. Looks good so far!

 

[MGC]

I tend to replace when the crack on the visible side is that obvious. It will really stand out when you varnish it. I lean towards the backside repair on boats where it matters that the wood is original. That said, the rib will be plenty strong enough if it's done correctly.

 

[Brly]

MGC, the crack on the inside is even more visible now that the repair is done. I made a clamping caul to fit the inside of the rib as Michael described and I think when it pulled back into the correct shape, the crack opened slightly. I guess I'll have to decide if I can live with it or replace the rib.

 

[Dave Osborn]

On bent areas of the rib, I make a backer.... it does two things.
You can pre-bend the hardwood patch with it, and it gives support when clamping it back into shape.

 

[Brly]

Dave, that's exactly what I did. Works great!