[baidarka] Gunwale board wood for Greenland kayak


Subject: [baidarka] Gunwale board wood for Greenland kayak
From: brian.nystrom@att.net
Date: Tue Aug 21 2001 - 09:53:16 EDT


I've been trying to find gunwale board material locally
(southern NH), but I'm not entirely sure what to look
for. I found a nice yellow pine 1x6 with symmetric grain,
but it twisted immediately when ripped to size, so I
guess I'll have to use it for small parts. I'll be
checking out a recommended source for spruce (2x10
staging planks), but in the meantime I'm looking for
feedback on the suitability of the following woods:

- Redwood - I can find this in CVG form and long lengths,
if it will work.

- Red cedar - I use it for paddles, but I'm concerned
that it's too soft for use as gunwale boards.

- White pine (D Select or better - This is readily
available, if it's suitable.

- Fir - I can find this in the form of 1x4 decking lumber
and can probably find two pieces with similar flex,
possibly from the same tree.

- Mahogany - It's expensive, but I have a source for it.

Another questions that's plagiuing me is what size stock
to start with?

- Morris' book recommends 2x stock ripped down the
center. If I start with S4S 2x stock (I haven't found
rough lumber anywhere), the gunwale boards will only be
~~5/8" thick when separated and cleaned up. Is this
acceptable?

- Boucher's video recommends 1x stock with symmetric
grain, but my first attempt at this method was a failure.
I assume that this will work with the right piece of
wood, but I'm concerned that it may take several attempts
to get it right.

- I've been cautioned against trying to match boards that
are not cut from the same piece, but a quick experiment
in flex matching at Home Depot last night looked
promising. Is this worth pursuing?

I suspect that all of these methods will work, given good
stock to choose from.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I need to start
this project yesterday and I'm getting a bit frustrated.

--
Regards

Brian

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