scottscotland
05-08-2004, 04:59 PM
i am finding it hard to find strip cedar for a glen canoe that im going to build i live in scotland in the uk hope someone can help.
Typically planking choices are made for the builder's selection, availability locally. If a design is being built in an area other then where the species specified isn't reasonably had, then a substitute needs be made for each species and area of contention having these issues.
Many woods share similar properties and cross referencing them should be as easy as contacting the local mills, builders, suppliers, trade magazines, etc. The phone book for years has wondered me. There are specialized areas of expertise on line that the government, collages and other originations have set up to share information about lumber types, qualities, strengths, values, etc.
There will be folks in your neck of the woods (pun intended) that has built strip hulls and had to make the same decisions you're looking at. Find out what they're using. You're looking for a reasonably light, good rot resistant, close grained lumber similar to American Red Western. There is a European equivalent, so try the shows or ads in the back of woodworking and boatbuilding magazines. The people who manage forests have a keen knowledge of lumber properties.
Good Luck,