I'm a complete novice at building kayaks and my plans are on the way for a Guillemot L. I bought Western Cedar and some cyprus to make it out of (11/16" x 3 1/2" planks). However, the longest planks I could find were 17 foot. In that the boat I'm building is 18 foot, I'm going to have to do something and I don't have a board stretcher. I assume I have to make a scarf joint. Now for some help from those that have already done that. Should I make a lap scarf joint or a tapered one? Also, how about scarf joining the 1" x 4" planks before I rip them into strips? Is that a good or bad idea?

Thanks guys,

John