> 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.

I am using 5mm Luan, ($10.88 a sheet at the lumberyard) to build a Mill Creek 13. It works great for everthing except the deck, because of the extreme bending that is needed for the original plans. I am modifying (splitting fore to aft) the deck similar to the Osprey from Pygmy Kayaks. It does not have a rounded deck, it is angular. This keeps the stress levels down in the plywood and increases the strength. I will put 4 oz glass inside and out on both the hull and the deck. When I attach the deck, which has already been re-inforced, to the hull, I will overlap the fiberglass on the deck to attach to the hull. With this method you have tremendous surface tension on both sides of the Luan which won't compress. This method let's you keep the wood costs down because you are not depending on expensive marine plywood and you get a very strong and durable boat.