Nov 09, 2009 — Steam-bent ribs are a standard feature in many traditional boats. Oak (or other wood) ribs are softened by steaming, then quickly forced to conform to inside of the shell of the boat and clench-nailed in place. It's a two-man job. And the process is the same, big boat or small. Sam Newman got help bending the ribs into a very traditional, but very small craft: a cradle.