First rib installed!  It is possible.

The rib sprung back quite a bit when unclamped from the outside of the canoe.  That makes it hard to get it worked under the gunnels (after turning the canoe right side up).  To remedy single handed, I put a strap clamp around the rib to pull it to about the right width.  This let me get it between the inner gunnel and the planking, but it still did not like to lie flush with the planking - the ends needed quite a bit of pressure down to seat.

(the following is the wrong way, I'll get to the right way in a moment...)  So, I put a single nail in one side of the rib while pushing down to get it 'close' to the right location.  Then on the other side, I pushed down quite hard on the end while pushing the inside of the rib out to the planking, to align the center mark with the keel holes.  Then again, a single nail to hold the rib to the gunnel.  All the while being careful to keep the rib aligned and centered between the remaining ribs.  At this point the rib was close, but not seated against the planking.  I then started nailing the planking to the rib working my way down from the gunnel.  I used the original nail holes in the planking to place the nails.  This pulled the rib in flush with the planking quite nicely, down to the bottom of the canoe.   I did not yet nail the rib to the bottom planking as much of it is rotten and will need to be replaced.  I then moved to the other side and tried to do similar, mostly failing miserably, until I realized the right way to do it...

So, the right way to do this is to use a clamp from the gunnel to the top of the rib, and use it to push the rib down and seat it against the planking. This worked like a charm, and allowed me to nail the other side of the planking, again down to the rotted section of planking at the bottom.

Result - one rib installed!  yahoo.  Of course, it is April only 6 months since picking it up!  And this is only the 2nd step.  Now another 12+ ribs to go, then fix the stems, then repair the planking, and then figure out how to canvas and then paint.  In other words, no end in sight...

Also, I have a wooden - try 5 - steam box almost complete.  Only missing hinges and clamps for the ends.

So, at last, it looks like some progress.  Next step is to remove another rib in the center section.  Should not be a problem to steam at least 2 at a time.