Hi Ken, I'm building Ted's Reliance with a WRC sheer clamp. My last boat (a CLC) also had a sheer clamp. I'm not a mechanical engineer but the sheer clamp joint is incredibly strong regardless of the wood used - especially on these boats where the joint is almost a 90 degree angle... you get a triangulation (is that a word ) effect. You'll do fine with any clear softwood. Thickened epoxy is all you'll need to keep it in place.