: I live in Indiana, and I cannot find any cedar boards over 16', and my kayak
: will be 17' long. I know you can join strips together that do not run the
: entire length of the boat, but has anyone built a boat with all shorter
: strips, and no strips running the entire length. Also, when you join
: strips, do you have to join them at one of the forms? Bear with me, I have
: one more question. All of the cedar boards that I have seen are full of
: knots. I couldn't find one board that was free of knots, including 8'
: boards. Do I have to rip the wood, and then cut of the knots, making the
: boards even shorter? Thanks for any info.
Hello Chris,

As everyone has posted,you don't need full length really. I like full length strips for the 4 sheer strips and keel strips.If I don't have any full length in the shop of the color I want I just scarf some together.The shorter pieces are easier to work with.You may find 18ft lengths of cedar at lumber yards being called headers for garage doors."Big-C" lumber in northern Indiana has them.Nothing clear,so you have to be picky about where the knots are.I don't know where you are in Indiana but I have a "Great Auk" here that didn't have any pieces over 10ft. and you are more than welcome to take a look at it or stop by for help if you want. I live in Granger,Indiana.
Have fun, Kurt Hoffman