Elliott
where are you?
I live about an hour the other side of Oneonta, but I’m based in Rensselaer, NY. I had to go out to Bath Thursday to appear in court so I did some shopping on the way home Friday.

A local lumberyard here sometimes gets the mahoghany lauan for about $9.
In this area even the big operations don’t carry any ply under ‘1/4”’ (5.2mm). I was aware that Oak Lumber in Troy and Athens, PA. carried ‘1/8”’ (3mm) Phillipine mahoghany and was headed to Troy when I noticed Chapel Lumber as I turned onto Route 14.

I was thinking about building the clancy that "Norm" built but thought I had to have the marine grade. After visiting the wooden boat forum I'm glad I decided against building it. However I am thinking about a Rising star for my young boys... Hmmm. Any info?
I’m not familier with the Clancy design, but would stay away from designs intended for a general audience. I’m a little torn by the Star. It’s a beautiful little boat that any kid would be thrilled to have. But it will demand and cultivate kayaking skills. That said, I worry that it’s “normal” stability curve may frighten some younger paddlers and discourage their use of it. Good arguments can be made for both points of view. In the end you know your boys and their degree of comfort with new experiences. If they’re game I’d go with this design. If your concerned of scaring them off, I’d look at some of CLC’s shorter designs. With reasonable skills and glass sheathing you can build any of these designs with 3mm lauan.

David,
It seams that most lumber yards can get that stuff.
Thanks, I know this stuff is called doorskin from its use in making hollow core doors but I don’t know what other uses a customary lumber buyer would have for it. Nobody in my area carries it. Okoume can be purchased in Boston and the New York City area or shipped from Ontario. As you say the cost can get over $40 a sheet. The stuff I picked up seems to be an excellent product. The back veneers have what appear to be insect bores, but beautiful patterning and color. I may go for the wormy look.

Larry,
Yes, I held the sheets up to the sun and didn‘t see anything but a quizzical look on the yard guy‘s face. The glue is exterior grade. I put a micrometer on a panel at several locations and it mic’d out at .113 to .114” consistently. This is just under 3mm. The center ply is a little thicker than the outer plys but there’s plenty for sanding.

George Cushing
Delanson, NY