: I'm planning to build a skin-on-frame kayak. I need help on finding a good
: source for wood. I plan to use Sitka Spruce for the gunwales, hull
: stringers, keel, and masik; Western Red Cedar for the deck beams and
: stringers; and Alaskan Yellow Cedar for the ribs. I live in Northern
: California (Antioch). Can anyone help point me in the right directions? I
: would really appreciate it.

: Scott Claar

After building 8 skin on frame kayaks - I've come to like lightweight woods for most parts - yellow cedar is okay for ribs but tends to dry out over time and gets a little brittle so if you can use White oak for the ribs and hoop.

Sitka spruce has a lot of mystique around it $$ but white spruce is very good for gunnels, in fact even Western red cedar is ok for gunnels but you need to be a little more careful when ribbing as it is possible to split out a mortise when fitting a rib. Doug fir makes excellent gunnels too , since it is a heavier wood , it can be 5/8" thick .

For the deck beams supporting the hoop I would not use western red cedar myself - I'd suggest doug fir or spruce.

Often you can get good gunnel stock from common SPF ( Spruce-Pine-Fir) 1x4's at the local lumberyard - you have to pick through the pile to find the good stuff.