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Spruce strips for a kayak?
By:Hank
Date: 1/30/2000, 9:12 pm

Hi All,

I have been preparing make to my first strip style kayak - a Guillemot. I went to the Home Depot to pick up a sheet of plywood for making the forms and happened to notice an incredibly clear piece of 2x6 x 10' of spruce. I wasn't long in going through the whole stack and found 5 more exceptional pieces of wood. For under $6.00 a plank I could not resist bring them home. Lots of uses for such wood but I started thinking of doing the kayak in spruce. I should be able to get enough strips out of six 2x6 x 10 foot planks to strip a kayak - especially with a couple of cedar planks thrown in for contrast.

I remember a discussion a while back about using spruce for a kayak. Spruce, finished with resin and varnish has a beautiful golden glow - a golden kayak with dark accents stripes would be nice.

Has anybody made a kayak from spruce strips?

Any thoughts, suggestions or reservations about using spruce?

Spruce is a bit heavier than cedar but it is stronger - how thin could spruce strips be?

Considering that this is my first strip style kayak I might be wise to stay with 1/4 inch thick strips.

Moving from plywood to strips is going to be fun. I will probably have many questions but I know that I can count on the group for support... group support... support group... Hello my name is Hank and I have an addiction...

Messages In This Thread

Spruce strips for a kayak?
Hank -- 1/30/2000, 9:12 pm
Re: Spruce strips for a kayak?
Kent LeBoutillier -- 1/31/2000, 6:08 am
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Hank -- 1/31/2000, 8:30 am
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Tony -- 1/31/2000, 8:11 pm
Got any pictures?
Paul G. Jacobson -- 2/2/2000, 6:32 am
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
John Michne -- 1/31/2000, 7:52 pm
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Spidey -- 1/31/2000, 4:42 pm
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Gary -- 2/2/2000, 10:39 am
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Hank -- 1/31/2000, 6:32 pm
Re: 3/16" strip and 1/4" bead?
Spidey -- 1/31/2000, 10:40 pm
Re: Spruce strips for a kayak?
Shawn Baker -- 1/30/2000, 11:28 pm