: I am building my first SOF using Robert Morris' book and it is a bit
: difficult finding good long clear lumber where I am at. Although I did
: find a 16 footer with minimal knots which I am using I am looking at a
: building a second boat and I am wondering if it would be advisable to use
: a couple shorter pieces scarfed together for the gunwales?

Hi Peter,
Scarfing is perfectly good, just make a good, matching tapers and use good glue, epoxy is one of the best for this but any water"proof" glue will work.
With long boards with knots, go for ones with the knots near the ends where the least stress is on the gunwales. Live knots are ok, dead knots, cut them out and scarf.

Hope this helps,
Mike Savage
South West Cork