: Size: Lumber companies produce products for large users - construction and
: furniture. Boat builders will never be large users so they will make due
: with what the large users want.

: There are mills that will custom cut lumber for you. If you buy a rail car
: full, they will give you a real good price.

: Cost: I don't see anyone not building boats because of the cost of lumber.

: If you use thinner strips, your lumber costs go down. 3/16" strips cost
: 16% less than 1/4" strips, 1/8" strips cost 33% less - material
: costs only.

: Buyers complain about high prices, sellers complain about low prices.

And yet the wooden boat building industry suffered a huge decline in the latter part of the twentieth century with the advent of fibreglass construction techniques. This decline was predominently due to the rising cost of lumber, and the relative inexpensive costs associated with fibreglass and Aluminium construction.

The Cedar-getters in this part of the world, cleared most of the old growth cedar almost a hundred years ago. Since then, clear cedar has increased in price and decreased in availability. The local wooden boat industry dried up with it, so much so, that to now call it an industry would be laughable.

Cheers,

Paul