Thanks for the input Paul. I know about the general characteristics of hardwoods and softwoods (though I didn't realize balsa was a hardwood!). My question was meant to be more like, "What are the stresses or loads on the masik that warrant a hardwood construction, when the rest of the frame is cedar?" I don't plan to sit or stand on it. It seems that it will primarily have to bear the force of bracing against it during paddling and rolling; it will be probably carry some of the weight of the boat when I'm carrying the boat on my shoulder; it will feel the pull of the skin wrapped around it; what else? I admit, I like the light weight of cedar, and have plenty of it at the shop, but OTOH I want the boat to be as strong as it should be. I also have maple, oak, ash, cherry, walnut scraps, so there is no shortage of solutions.

R