> I picked up some Western Red Cedar from a local sawmill. The boards are a
> full one inch by four inches. They haven't made it to the kiln yet. I am
> letting them dry out in my house. How long should I leave them to dry?
> They are a still rough sawn, should I plane them smooth before I rip them
> into strips. I am going to use the C&B method. Can't wait to paddle,
> thanks in advance.

Don, Let them dry for several months minimum. You'll be able to tell by how much significantly lighter weight they are. Plane them after they dry. Another indicator is by how easily they will plane when they are dry enough. I get all my wood from a mill and usually let it set 6 months before I start to mill it. Alan