Alternatives to replacing broken ribs?

[bredlo]

Is there such a thing, perhaps a patch or something?

One downside of replacing entire ribs seems, to me, to be that the replacement will always be very noticable - that it's almost impossible to get a perfect color match. Obviously, the upside is a stronger, more sea-worthy craft.

Are there situations where one may opt not to fix a damaged rib at all? Perhaps if it's a small crack, could one simply think of it as "character" and paddle on, without a second thought? Or does even a single broken rib jeapordize waterproofness, lateral strength, and straight line tracking?

Not thinking about cutting corners, just wondering. ;)

[Gil Cramer]

It is your canoe. Do whatever you think is appropriate. I've seen cracked ribs with wood bent on the inside, metal on the inside, nothing done, or a backside rib repair. My personal opinion is; REPLACE THE RIB!!,but since I work for customers, I'll do whatever they want.( If you've got the money honey, I've got the time!)

[mark wismer]

I sistered the worst of them & 'Saved' my original canvas. It was a ton of work and looking back I would have been better off pulling the canvas & bending some new ones.

The (3) sistered ribs are functional [it still 'functioned' before the repair too] but they are ugly. The canoe already has a lot of 'beauty marks' and the new ribs would have added to the history.

[dboles]

Like Gil says Its your soap and your ....ahem and you can wash it fast as you want.
Rib replacement is fairly easy getting a new rib to match the old is a little tricky but with the right stain you would be surprized on how close you can match up the new with the old.

[bredlo]

Cool, great points.