Cockpit Coaming finished

I managed to get the rim steamed round and glued.
Here is the process I went through to get to finish it


The first was to find what the length and width of the ring
is going to be. This is of my hips plus som fingers for the width,
and the length was the opening between the cockpit beams plus some
to aid getting in/out and bending back when I start rolling :)


Next up the form this I made from some planks
and 4 x 2's. And a strap to assist with the bending.


This is the main ring after its been steamed and
bent and clamped.


And finally after I got the outer rim in place, I then glued it
and here it is after some sanding.


And then it was time for some holes to be used when sewing the
coaming to the covering cloth.

Next up adding some of the vanish that I am going to cover the
covering cloth with. And then time to cover the frame :)

Ribs Steamed and in place

After finishing the upper frame by cutting the tenon ends off and
sanding the ends flush its time for the feared "steaming of the ribs".

I made a steam-box out of a polystyrene board and joined together with
silver tape. I added a towel atone end as a opening and pushed some wires through
to make shelf's to keep the wood in the middle when steaming.
I then used an old kettle and our camping stove to produce the steam.
I have to say it worked really well and made the job a easier.


The steamer.

I also made the bending jig recommended in one of the books I following
this also worked really well.


Bending jig.

I managed to bend all the ribs in an afternoon and very few breakages
a real positive surprise and a rewarding job.

Here's a few picture of the ribs in place.


From the bow.


And from the stern.

Next up sanding and pegging the ribs.