> I built a recovery kayak based on the article in the Oct. 98 issue of Sea
> Kayaker. It's my first, definitely not my last, and performs beautifully.
> One question: is there any reason one couldn't install the keelson AFTER
> bending and fitting all the ribs? It seemed that having it in place was,
> at times, an obstacle. I realize it helps to define the shape of the
> kayak, but it sure would be easy to just pop the ribs in, true them up as
> necessary, and then lay on the keelson OVER the installed ribs.

I can't think of a great reason, but it may help to reassure one that the ribs are correct and ctred.

Probably would be easier if had an internal removable 'keelson'?

-mick