> I am a high school wood shop teacher. Last year I had 7 students make
> wooden kayaks now I have many who want to try but the cost is too great
> for many of my students. (last year they averaged $285) Is luan an
> acceptable alternative for the okoume plywood we bought last year? Does
> anyone have any other cost saving ideas? thank you for any helpful advice.

Consider skin on frame kayaks (see George Putz's book and scroll down this bbs to see a photo of of a completed 'Walrus' that Mike Hanks made). Once you have a set or two of the forms made they can be reused -- and the average cost per boat should drop to about $175.

A local supplier (Chicago area) has meranti plywood -- which is similar to lauan -- in 1/8th inch thickness for under $8 a sheet. It is used as a floor underlayment. It is very flexible.

For many designs 1/4 inch lauan works fine. It might be cheaper to find a good, but different, design that did not require the wood to be greatly stressed or bent during construction. A hard chine or multi chine design might suit your needs, and be easy to construct with standard 1/4 inch or 5.5 mm lauan panels. If you want to use the less expensive wood get a design that will work with it. Don't go the other way and get a design that requires great flexibility and strength from the wood, and then try to get lauan to conform.

Hope this helps.

Paul G. Jacobson