Of course, as I was routing out the slots for the ribs in the gunwale, the rougher attachment on my dremel loosened and I went through the side of the gunwale. Now I'll have to scarph a new one together since like a moron I cut all my extra stock down to 13'6" (chine length). So pissed at myself right now, I need to put this project away and come back to it later before I screw something else up. Any thoughts on just pegging/lashing the ribs to the inside of the gunwale rather than into a mortice for each one? I know it's not "per the designer" but wondering if this will work to avoid making this mistake again. I'd simply put a spacer between the ribs in order to attach the footrest or run a small inner gunwale like some other designs call for. Thoughts?

Don't worry, it was all going far too well anyway! For the SOF canoe I'm thinking about I would definitely go for an outer gunnel and inner clamp with the ribs neatly sandwiched between, easier and stiffer and looks great on a canoe - a shame to hide it under a deck IMHO.

On a kayak the existing gunnel may be heavier than needed if it was intended to accommodate mortices and the deck will have more overhang. Possibly it would reduce the waterline beam too. Just a thought . . .