Hi Dan, Thanks for the info. I have been busy with kids and work so I haven't had much time for the canoe. I was looking at it this weekend and at each rib in addition to the two tacks through the planking their is what appears to be an 1/8" dowel at the very top edge of the planking. I purchased the wood and canvas canoe and the how to build the maine guide canoe and they don't mention anything about dowels. Could these be from a previous repair??
thanks john