Thread: What timber should I use in my strip build Kayak

Scott, as far as I know western red cedar is one of the best timbers available in Aust for strip built kayaks. I would be tempted to use WRC for the bul of the strips and then use the Aust Red Cedar for highlights. there have been a couple of people who have built guillemont kayaks (do as search on the picture forum).
Good luck with it

I'm inclined to agree with Slavo. Red Cedar would certainly do the trick if you can get enough of it, but few other Aus timbers would even come close in the lightness stakes.

I'd think about a palette including Balsa, Surian Cedar, Western Red Cedar and Paulownia, none of which unfortunately are Australian, but all are light weight.

Cheers,

P

Originally Posted by Slavo

Scott, as far as I know western red cedar is one of the best timbers available in Aust for strip built kayaks. I would be tempted to use WRC for the bul of the strips and then use the Aust Red Cedar for highlights. there have been a couple of people who have built guillemont kayaks (do as search on the picture forum).
Good luck with it

I was hoping to keep it to Australian native timbers if possible. If not, does the western red ceder come in pale to white colour ?

Red cedar is the #1 choice of strip canoe and kayak builders up here in Canada. People have tried other woods but nothing comes close to the properties of red cedar's light weight, resistance to rot, and oil content. Or it's cancer causing ability so wear a respirator.

Originally Posted by scottski

I was hoping to keep it to Australian native timbers if possible. If not, does the western red ceder come in pale to white colour ?

Nope, but Paulownia is, and is also about half way between WRC and Balsa in weight.

P

A contrasting wood used up here is Yellow cedar which isn't actually a cedar but a cypress. Not sure how hard it would be to find in Aus.

Not to high jack but... That was funny.

It's 11pm up here and I get this phone call. First thing I think is oh my god someones in big trouble so I race to the phone.

On the other end is someone with a foreign accent. Sayin, Gday, its Scott. Here I'm thinking WHO!:confused::confused:

So I say Scott who?

He says You just replied on the forum to me about the kayak.

Holy crap!:eek: I'm thinking, that was fast. I only just replied. You guys don't waste anytime.
Too funny

I have built a canoe out of WRC and it came out great, I used knots and had no problems except that I had a lot of sanding rather than planing. I used a stripe out of pine (baltic) but any pine would look good.

I have built a Guillemott kayak out of King Billy Pine, the boat came out at around 18kg with one layer of 6 0z fibreglass. Also think about Huon Pine, though Huon is a bit heavier.
Cheers Harry (Tasmania)

Ihave have built 2 Wee Lassie canoes out of King Billy pine with Huon pine feature strips. total weight with king billy double paddle and real wicker seat 15 kg. King billy is probably just a bit heavier and harder than western red cedar but only just. The amount of huon that you would use is minimal and would not be a significant weight problem.
have fun Ecca

Western red cedar!!!! what else?? If you want a fine looking boat-canoe this is what you want to use, also it is the best choice around the water and has the best finshed look. It steams very well and is available from most small mills in the lower mainland. Be sure you have an old log with tight grain and keep your strips a little on the thicker side... I have milled a few packagess for smal boat builders and you need good clear wood'on the coast you can get that with cedar... Some guys alternate there strips light and dark to give a nicer finshed look. If you cant find the wood you need mail me and i will cut it for you.......The Log Hog [email protected]

Originally Posted by The Log Hog

Western red cedar!!!! what else?? If you want a fine looking boat-canoe this is what you want to use, also it is the best choice around the water and has the best finshed look. It steams very well and is available from most small mills in the lower mainland. Be sure you have an old log with tight grain and keep your strips a little on the thicker side... I have milled a few packagess for smal boat builders and you need good clear wood'on the coast you can get that with cedar... Some guys alternate there strips light and dark to give a nicer finshed look. If you cant find the wood you need mail me and i will cut it for you.......The Log Hog [email protected]

I'm pleased to see that you are contributing with your knowledge of timber in addition to your advertisements for your services.

However, there is something that seems to have escaped your attention. This board is in Australia and the majority (though definitely not all) of members are based here. WRC, as it happens, is available here in quantity from most timber yards. Though the quality (available here at least) has deteriorated noticably.

Scotti when i did fancy laminations useing Aust red cedar. The white timber i used was either Silver Ash or Quandong. Quandong being much lighter.
Red cedar on its own its something very special. I would only use the light strips for combing etc. For me its way nicer then WRC. hardly compareable really accept for weight.
Great choice in timber if you can get some nice clear boards.
Sinjin

Huon (white) pine was used a lot in boat building and would provide a real contrast to the red cedar.

I have used Huon where it was being varnished, but has anyone any experience about how it epoxy takes to it for gluing, coating and fibreglassing, which are all necessary for strip built boats?

Cheers
Michael Storer