: I am looking ahead to building the paddles. It is something I have wanted to
: try for many years. Like so many people my material choices are very
: limited without having it shipped in.

: The two woods we have available that appear to be most suitable are Western
: Red Cedar. Local lumber yard keeps siding (3/4 thick, one rough face) and
: to my surprise 2x4's planned on 4 sides. I have some larger old WRC in my
: barn I am saving for a boat. Lots of Southern Yellow pine of course.

: The other wood is what they commonly call Spruce, but it isn't really spruce.
: I think the proper trade name is White Wood. White cedar, fir, white pine,
: maybe hemlock? I can't find exactly what all that name covers. What we get
: is typically lighter weight than SYP and usually has lots of small knots.
: Sometimes I can find an almost clear board that can be cut down to smaller
: pieces and used in glue ups.

: I was looking at furring strips today at the BORG. 1x2's or 1x3's that were
: relatively clear. If suitable three of these glued together could make a
: good blank for a shaft.

: For a standard double paddle I am think the white wood for shafts and then
: using some WRC and white wood glue up for the blades. Am I off base? Any
: better suggestions? Anything but native hardwood and SYP just isn't common
: around here.

: I have access to several harder woods suitable for tips. Hickory, oak, etc.
: Those are easy to come by. And of course walnut, cherry and some woods
: that could added for decoration.

Personally I like spruce for a paddle if you can find a nice piece, easier to find a piece of 2x8 or bigger than to find a clear 2x4 in my experience. It's still cheap at construction lumber prices to cut out what you want and scrap the rest. If you have a lumber yard that will let you sort thru a pile of "white wood" (hate that term) you can tell the spruce since it's a bunch lighter than the other woods.

The downside is it's not terribly pretty when it's oiled, but spruce is pretty strong for it's weight, something that really can't be said of WRC.

Btw, the GP that I use all the time is WRC I do though have a couple clear pieces of sitka spruce waiting for me this winter.

Bill H.