Not sure why my first post didn't work but here goes again . . .

I am about to embark upon the construction Dave Gentry's non-traditional Disko Bay. Marine plywood is very hard to come by here and to order in some would double the total cost of my boat!! As such, I'm entertaining the thought of making the frames from pieces of solid wood and using lap joints. The design should be pretty easy to adapt to this type of frame. I'm thinking on 1.5" x 3/4" WRC. The lap joins, if they require extra strength, can be supplemented with knees and/or thin plywood gussets. The later can be hidden from view, if wanted.

Anybody ever go this route? Anybody see any potential issues/problems? The only halfway suitable plywood I can find locally is exterior grade fir. But I hate using this because its splintery and prone to voids. Going the solid wood route may be more time consuming than using plywood but there are only six frames, so it should not be too onerous!! Also, making these 6 frames will be a lot less time consuming than making all the ribs associated with a "traditional" build.

I look forward to any and all comments, suggestions etc . . .

Sean