: I built a strip planked cedar racing dinghy a couple of years ago. I'm
: thinking about building another one this coming winter but the price of
: profiled cedar strip supplied by one of the main marine timber merchants
: here in the UK has practically doubled!

: I was therefore wondering whether it would be possible to use balsa instead
: of cedar as the core material? I'd be interested to hear from anyone who
: may have tried this. If it is a realistic possibility, I'd be particularly
: keen to find out what balsa thickness/glass specification might give me
: similar properties to 6 oz glass cloth on 1/4 inch cedar strip.

: Thanks

: Marcus

I'm pretty sure that John Winters of Redwing Design has built balsa strip boats. You might try e-mailing him to see what he says. I think his site is still linked on the home page of the design forum.