Hank,

I agree with all your points. If I built as many boats as you I would definitely be watching my pennies more. Have you ever noticed how true Murphy's laws appear to be? I would love to use Okoume - but the nearest supplier is a hard day's drive. After shipping the price is even higher than your quotes. You don't want to use Okoume - so it is available down the street.

But it's still a grand life. I'm reading a book about what went on in the (previously) Belgian Congo around the time of their independence. We sure take a lot for granted.

Enjoy your summer.

PC
: Hi Paul,

: The prices for materials vary quite a bit. Locally, Okoume is about 4 times
: the cost of luaun.

: Three 4x8 foot sheets of plywood are required to build the typical S&G kayak.

: Luaun would cost $51.58 [Canadian], Okoume would cost $224.25. The $172.67
: difference pretty well pays for the resin and cloth.

: I have seen a wide variety in the grain pattern on both luaun and Okoume
: panels so the "beauty" has to be judged on a "per
: panel" basis.

: For the small inconvenience of having to fill the occasional void the 4 time
: difference in cost is hard to justify. On the strength issue, using up the
: "cut offs" of cloth and a bit more resin is still more
: economical that building with Okoume and adds very little to the
: construction time.

: Okoume is a superior material, no doubt. If you only plan on building one or
: two boats, Okoume is locally & readily available, and the cost is not
: a concern them it is the material of choice.

: I build an average of 4 kayaks a year [I enjoy building as much as paddling].
: I have to watch my costs - luaun meets my requirements. My cost per kayak
: is under $300 [Canadian] each - less than $150 in "real money"
: [US dollars ;-)]

: Different strokes... enjoy your boats!

: Hank