: 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
Hi Toby,
I would definitely use a hard wood for the outer stems Ash works great, it's what I have used several times. I still get dents in the stems from bumps. What will help there is make the final width about 3/8 inch avoid the tendency to shape them to a finer point. A brass band will also help greatly with wear and dents. the inner stems can be made from cedar or another soft wood. The gunnels can be made from softer wood but they will get a lot of wear. I like to use a hard wood like ash or Cherry for gunnels. Cypress is a soft wood that wears well and is slightly lighter than ash. Cypress also looks good varnished.
Some great information can found in Ted Moores book Canoecraft also Susan VanLeuven's book Wood Strip Canoe Building.
I hope this is helpful,
Clayton