: Ash works fine, though it's awfully heavy, it is rugged. Sitka
: Spruce will work fine too, though not as rugged and it's a bunch
: lighter, also probably more expensive. Ash is fairly cheap.

: Bill H.

It is for a canoe, I guess I should have mentioned that.

My cedar strips have all been the real dark milk-chocolate color and I want something to "trim" them out with. I also want to make sure whatever I use for stems will hold up to some abuse. I don't plan on using the boat hard, but I don't want something that is going to dent and ding with every little bump. I have some very light colored cedar, is there any reason not to use it for the stems? My intention is to install the stems and then glass over the entire hull. If the stems are reinforced by the fiberglass would using ash, spruce or any other hard wood wear any better than the cedar?

Thanks
Toby