I'm planning to put together a SOF Canoe after the success of my Yost Sea Bee. I'm short on space and cheap by nature. Fortunately, I'm more handy than my experience would suggest.

It seems that most people that build SOF Canoes follow the strip building method of big bulky frames on a strongback, running the stringers and then fitting the ribs before taking the boat off the frames and strongback.

However, like this guy ( http://www.jonsbushcraft.com/sof-skin-on-frame-canoe-3.htm ) some people build their canoes similar to how the "traditional" kayak builders work - gunwales and separating parts (yoke, thwarts) first, followed by ribs. That particular builder didn't freehand his ribs, but used a rib bending jig - I like this idea.

Am I paranoid to think that the latter method will build a crooked canoe? I really like the idea that I can pick it up and move it out of the way during the build. I figure I can get length and thwart positions/widths from another canoe that I like (or Carlson HULLS), and it seems that as long as the bottoms of the ribs are level the boat ought to fair up nicely.

I'd love the general community input on the merits of each method - I realize this is a kayak forum, but the crossover is obvious and there's a lot more people building kayaks than canoes.

Thanks!