Red Cedar Planking sources

[Tonio]

Hi,
I'm restoring a 1950 Old Town lapstrake square stern and need to find some clear red cedar to re-plank the bottom. The boat was originally planked with solid 1/2" clear red cedar. Can anyone direct me to a source - preferably on the East Coast - where I can buy stock?

Thanks
Tonio

[Easy Rider]

We have numerous mills here on Prince of Whales Island (NW of Ketchikan) I see nobody responded to your post so I can connect you with people that can cut whatever you want (Yellow Cedar too) but I can't imagine it being economical to ship. Could (however) get it cheaply to Seattle on Northland Barge lines. Let me know if you want to kick that around.

Easy Rider

[gonzo]

Unless it is a cosmetic issue, you can substitue it with juniper which is availble locally

[alan white]

Substitute Atlantic White cedar, or, Port Orford cedar, or cypress. Check lumber yards for decking materials and you may see one of the above species show up.

[Easy Rider]

All of them very good wood and excellent substitutes however none are, in my opinion, even very close to Red Cedar for beauty when varnished. Admittedly biased though.

Easy Rider

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Unless it is a cosmetic issue, you can substitue it with juniper which is availble locally

If someone's restoring a 1950 Old Town lapstrake, I guarantee cosmetics are an issue.

[gonzo]

I mean that unless it is varnished the difference in color won't make a difference.

[Tonio]

Hi Easy Rider,
Thanks for the reply. In view no one had answered, I decided to look around for some Cypress which is abundant here in Florida. There is a mill in Jacksonville (about 40 miles from me) which specializes in Cypress and can mill it any way I want it. Can't beat the price either. Since then, someone made me an offer on the boat that I couldn't refuse - so I sold it. I'll live happily ever after with my recently restored 1958 Lyman.

The shipping cost alone for Western Red Cedar from your area would have been horrendous, but I thank you again for your response.

Regards
Tonio

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I mean that unless it is varnished the difference in color won't make a difference.

I know what you meant; I just couldn't pass up the opportunity for a cheap shot. The Devil made me do it....

[alan white]

Try Spanish cedar too, or luan. These look more like mahogany (but they will be attractive) and there is a lot of weight variation (from light as red cedar to heavy as oak) between heartwood, sapwood, and different trees. I would guess either wood is available in Fla.