Any boat builders have sources for lumber longer than 16’. I am asking for a friend who has built two canoes and wants to build two 18’ kayaks.
Any boat builders have sources for lumber longer than 16’. I am asking for a friend who has built two canoes and wants to build two 18’ kayaks.
The Epoxy glued scarf joint is a common technique for boat building. Softwood dimensional lumber is commonly available in long lengths. Long hardwoods can be hard to find.
Cherry is not usually considered a boat building wood. I can imagine it being very pretty on a boat. There are good resources on both coasts, as well as around the Great Lakes and North Woods.
I don't know how much Cherry this place may have on hand, but I do know that they sell Oak & Walnut up to 20 feet long which is the length of their sawmill. http://www.hickoryandoak.com/
Doug
Green wood ok? You might check with Woodmizer - they keep a list of those willing to saw for others. May find one near with the right equipment.
A woodmizer can saw any length by bolting on rail sections. I bought one extra section for mine to allow sawing up to about 17 ft. Another section would add 6’ capability I think.
JKJ
"Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're doing."
Thanks guys. I will pass this info along.
I believe Western Red Cedar is the preferred material for strip canoes and kayaks.
Cherry would definitely be a heavy option unless just for a rub rail or similar. I think the only way to get 18' cherry would be to have it custom sawn, and it would be hard to find a straight-grained log of that length.
I have two tall skinny ones that will eventually be harvested. Unfortunately our mill is only 16 feet.