: I want to build a stripper kayak as cheaply as possible: I want to layout my
: own plans from Nick's book, I want to cut my own strips, I want to buy my
: glass from RAKA, etc.

: I want to walk into my local lumberyard and buy some boards, take them home,
: rip and strip. Around here (the central coast of California) there is no
: cedar in the Home Depots, but lots of cheap redwood. How good is redwood
: for kayaks?

: Will my kayak be heavier? Weaker? Will it be harder to build?

: Any information would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Gordon

Around these parts, Redwood IS our Cedar. Redwood is an excellent wood for kayaks and canoes. It's a little brittle bending the sharper curves, and should be steamed for difficult bends. Are you planning on useing Wet ( fencing, exterior ) or kiln dried ( clear, indoor ) stock? As you no doubt know by now, the kiln dried is about double or more the price of wet( green ). But, that is where you will find most of the clear wood. I doubt you will notice the difference in weight from Redwood to Cedar. Then again, if you can't find cedar, you can't compare them. I'm in Fresno, and a good friend of mine is in Sanger, about 6 or 7 miles away, and he uses Redwood exclusively for his canoes. Easy to work, will bend, sands almost too easy, and looks great under glass. Pine works as well, and looks great as an accent to the redwood. I don't think you will have any regrets useing it.

For Cedar, have you tried looking at the 2 x 4's in the fencing department of your local lumber yard? Yeh, they have knots, but, you will get some good clean strips out of it, and you only need a few long ones, and the shorter lengths will work fine as you work your way up the hull or into the smaller areas on the deck. Might be worth a shot. Hope this helps.

Rehd