: I am not sure if my wood grain is wrong. In reference from another message on
: this forum I think that they are quarter sawn cedar strips. But I am not
: sure. All I know is that when I plane it certain strips have chunks ripped
: out of them. I don't believe it is a question of plane sharpness(I sharpen
: it daily). If I set the depth any shallower I don't get a cut. At this
: point I am looking at continuation and just filling in the pits later with
: filler. Is this my only option?

I use a paint scraper or cabinet scrapers to start with and the move on to a long board with 100 grit for the finish fairing. I picked up a set of 3 cabinet scrapers at a local woodworking warehouse for $10. These have various contours on each one which makes them handy with the different shapes of the hull. I had troubles using a plane also trying to make the bevels on the strips with certain type of grains. It seemed the worse looking grains planed easier. I did try a plane to rough out a spot on the hull with the same results as you. I would not use a plane to try fairing again. Others seem to swear by it though. Then again I was used to working with metal so I still relatively new at woodworking. Good Luck!
Steve