: I found a guy in Alaska that is getting ready to cut some Sitka logs in the
: next week or two. He will sell for $10 per. board foot. This lumber will
: still need to dry, and shipping to Seattle is about $50.

: Now what is so special about Sitka? Is this really the best wood to use?

: My Christmas present to my self is just starting building not finishing.

: I am using Brick’s book and using morris as a second reference.

: Sage

Yellow cedar is the best wood from the Western Coast of North America to use in a SOF kayak as it is naturally rot resistant and about optimum from a strength to weight ratio , gunnels can be reduced to 5/8" thick no problem. Western red cedar will work but it can split at rib mortises and deck beam joins, probably best for lighter weight people. Sitka spruce is a nice wood but you are paying for mystique- most spruces have similar properties, white pine is fine too . Heck just go to the 1x4 pile in your local lumberyard they are usually some type of spruce, pine or fir - remember you aren't building a piano so a few knots won't hurt anything. The original Inuit used mainly black spruce, yellow cedar and hemlock for the long pieces. Ribs could be anything from shoots, branches or split wood. In the spirit of SOF building use what is available locally it will work just as well and have "good medicine"