: Fir is a heavier wood, but it is stronger than cedar on a size-for-size
: basis. If a plan calls for a cedar part to be an inch thick, but you use
: fir instead of cedar, you can use a piece of fir which is 3/4 or 7/8 inch
: thick. The smaller fir part will be lighter than a fir part made to match
: the larger dimensions of the specified cedar part, but it may still be
: heavier than the cedar part. The difference in weight won't be as great.

: The strength should be compatible, but the size may not be. If your plans are
: drawn with notches for the stringers, and these are sized to fit 1 inch
: stock (cedar) then anywhere you replace a cedar part with a fir part you
: would need to modify the size of the notch.

: So, go through your plans and check for the size of the components. It takes
: a little extra planning time, but you can frequently substitute materials,
: and not get too big of a weight change. Sometimes you are better off with
: a different material that what the original designer used.

: As long as you are going to carf together shorter lengths of wood, why not
: look for an ash, maple, oak, or hickory board and make your stringers from
: one of these strong hardwoods? Ash is much stronger and less brittle than
: cedar, and has a long history of use as stringers on kayaks.

: Hope this helps.

: PGJ

Hi Paul,

Hardwood as ribs on a traditional SOF kayak work really well. As stringers on a Yost kayak would be gross overkill. Would add a bunch of weight only. The strength really isn't required there.

Even light weight and strength red cedar is plenty strong enough for the Yost stringers/gunwales.

Bill H.