: Has anyone considered or used the all-wood, I-shaped TJI® joist to make a
: strong back for a strip built kayak?

I'm planning to use a pair of TJI's to make a box beam for my next kayak.

I don't think you could get one small enough to work for a suitable internal strongback, though.

For a box beam, it would be quick and simple, though. I'm planning to use a pair of 10" or 12" TJI's as the sides, with 3/4" plywood 8" wide screwed to the top flange, and 3/8" or 1/2" plywood for the bottom of the box. I also planned to mount electrical boxes in cutouts in the TJI web area to have plugins all along the boxbeam.

It would be waaay stiffer than anything else I could imagine. Actually, a 24" or 32" wide bottom plate that stuck out 8" or 12" to form a work shelf might be handy. Places to put glue, screws, clamps, sander, planes, knives, etc. etc. etc.

I have a 5' wide space between my vehicles in the garage in the winter time. I was also thinking I could raise the whole thing into the space between the garage door tracks to clear floor area when necessary.

Shawn