Pine works great - as you say, its a little heavier, but it is usually stronger than WRC so you can reduce the dimensions of the stringers a little bit. I would look for white pine if you can, it will be a lot lighter than other pine species, almost as light as WRC but a LOT less expensive (at least here in NC where yellow pine is also plentiful).

Of course, scarfing short pieces works just fine too, but its a lot of work to save a few pounds. I took this route with my most recent SOF. I spent more time scarfing stringers than putting the frame together...

: As I have said before around here good material is extremely difficult to
: find. I want to start a yost style frame soon. My options are pretty much
: limited to Buying WRC and ripping to width. Then cut out the knots and bad
: spots and make several scarfs to get the length I need.

: Other option is use local wood. Living in Pine forest we have Southern Yellow
: Pine running out our ears. It's a good bit heavier but I don't think it
: would make amuch differnce. Main thing is it plentiful, cheap and I can
: find good boards. Goes totally against my boat building nature to use pine
: but I have been thinking about trying it. Anyone used pine? How has is
: held up?