ribband
A long, narrow strip of timber bent and bolted longitudinally to the ribs of a vessel, to hold them in position and give rigidity to the framework.
ribband: timber stiffener that holds ship ribs in place
A ribband is a long, narrow strip of timber fastened horizontally along the inside or outside of a ship's rib framework during construction and repair. It runs lengthwise along the hull, passing through or over multiple ribs, and is bolted or fastened securely to hold the ribs in their correct position and spacing. The ribband prevents the ribs from moving or twisting during the build process, before planking is fitted, and provides lateral stiffness to the incomplete framework.
Ribbands are typically made from softwood or oak, sized to be flexible enough to bend along the ship's curve yet stiff enough to resist racking. Common dimensions are roughly 4 to 6 inches wide and 1 to 2 inches thick, though these vary by vessel size and construction method. They are fitted in pairs or sets, usually placed at intervals along the length of the hull, and are removed or remain in place depending on the design and the builder's practice. On larger vessels, multiple ribbands at different heights on the ribs ensure consistent shaping.
Application and removal
Ribbands serve their greatest purpose early in construction, when the wooden frame is most vulnerable to distortion. Once the hull planking is fitted and fastened, the frame gains sufficient rigidity from the planks themselves, and temporary ribbands are often cut away and salvaged for reuse. Permanent ribbands, by contrast, remain bolted to the frame to provide ongoing lateral support and are considered part of the finished structure.
The fastening method depends on the ribband's role and position. Bolts driven through both the ribband and the ribs are the standard approach, with bolt holes drilled to allow easy assembly and disassembly. The number and spacing of bolts reflect the span between ribs and the expected stresses during construction and service.
The term 'ribband' derives directly from its form and function: a band running across or along the ribs. The spelling variant 'ribbon' is sometimes encountered in older texts but is less standard in modern shipbuilding terminology. Ribbands remain a recognized feature of wooden vessel construction and are also used in wooden boat repair and restoration to stabilize rib frameworks that have shifted or weakened over time.