: I am pretty much stuck going ahead with my Sea Bee build using the
: materials I already have, but I have been worried about this
: since I started planning my kayak. The only wood I have for the
: stringers is some 1"x6"x8' pine from Lowes. It has
: quite a few small knots on every board. They are plentiful
: enough that I would never be able to cut around them, so I am
: stuck with using stringers with knots. I know that is normally a
: no-no, but from what I can tell that is my only option right
: now.

: I have cut a test strip (3/4"x3/4") and flexed it over my
: knee. It took a bit of flex before I finally heard a light
: cracking sound. Upon inspection I found it had not started to
: let go at one of the knots, but rather at a spot where the grain
: must have been weak. I'm hoping thats a sign that this wood will

: work, but I am still a bit nervous.
: Has anyone else ever tried to use pine with knots for stringers?
: (I should note that I am making the multi-chine version of the Sea
: Bee, which I am hoping will spread out the load.)

Use it if you have to! Be prepared for a couple to break . . . but once the frame is complete, the skin will support your stringers pretty well.

Good luck!