Bryan,

I built my baidarka with stock from Lowes. I found that the C & Better Fir selection better there than at Home Depot (if you have the option). I had no problem finding stock with no knots at all (Bothell, WA).

If you can't find clear, I'm under the impression that tight knots under 1/4" are probably OK, but others may disagree.

I scarfed mine from 8' stock. My site shows the jigs I used to make the beveled scarf jounts (w/o an end nib), but I would use a hooked scarf next time.

Good Luck and have fun.

Aaron Cunningham

: I've been looking into building a kayak. This winter I'm going to try a S&G,
: but I want to get a kayak before then, so this weekend (I have a three
: day) I'm going to start and hopefully get all the wood work finished on a
: Skin-on-Frame kayak, unless it's really nice out, then I'm going paddling.
: I have very limited local places to buy lumber. I checked out Menard's
: today, and they didn't have any clear pine or spruce. I'm going to travel
: 35 miles after work today and look at Home Depot. Any advice for this
: would be helpful. How many knots of what size are acceptable if I can't
: find clear?
: Also, has anyone used willow for the ribs in a West Greenland style kayak? I
: can get this and it includes a nice float trip. Otherwise, what wood works
: best that you can get at Home Depot?
: Thank you for the info.

: Bryan