: I'm curious - is choice of wood critical to individual designs? Why cedar for
: some, redwood for others?

Hi George,
Price and availability. That's the main criteria. In my location, cedar is still an exotic timber, I haven't seen redwood in boards, just in dowel form. I used red deal (Scots Pine, I think) for two of my kayaks frames, cedar for my baidarka because I got my hands on some nice 2X6's for a good price.

I actually prefer pine to cedar, pine smells nicer, a resinous smell. To me, cedar smells remarkably like vomit. Others have a different opinion on that.

Any lasting timber will do, though ironwood might make a heavy kayak. And eat the edge of your tools.

Mike Savage
South West Cork