Not exactly the same, but for the price you want to spend, just about as good!

Aircraft grade Sitka Spruce can fetch upwards of $10 per board foot. You might find construction grade spruce for as little as $0.40/bf. It will still be reasonably lightweight, quite strong, but with a bit wider grain.

Shawn

: Hello all and Happy New Year,
: I going to start building a paddle as descibed in Nick Schades book, and he
: mentions using Sitka Spruce for the shaft, is Sitka spruce the same as the
: Spruce I see for sale at the home centers? If it is I can just dumpster
: dive. If not where can I get some in the Minneapolis area? Also, where is
: a source of 4mm marine grade plywood in the same area. Thanks for any
: help,
: Dave