: I am about to build my first kayak (from plans) and would like to know if I
: can use a 6" x 6" x 12' clear cedar beam for my planks. I have a
: table saw capable of making 1/4" rips from a beam of this size and
: this would be the least expensive way for me to buy the lumber. Thanks for
: your help.

You may have an opportunity that few of us can get. With one pce of wood, there is a possibility of making major grain matching. Just look at George Roberts response in the july10 post by Jeff.

Probably way too hard for a 1st timer or unless a good woodworker, but after maybe making some long bds like Paul suggested, you could potentially grain match the whole yak right around from the hull right back again. Cutting the remaining blank in half, you could w-unfold the planks ripped and w-unfold the strips running one plank/strip edge into the other for a continuing match. Using this as a background for some other pattern or contrast could be very cool.

Whatever you do, mark the strips and boards carefully so you at least have the opportunity of putting some edges together as you bld the yak. At the very least plan to put some pairs together .

Most pple can only buy disparate boards, and flop around trying to color/character match. You have a chance to start off with a sublety few can achieve.

-mick