Local source for stringer material huntsville al

[masterchief]

New to the forum just have to build a canoe. Will be looking to start in the near future when it is not 100 degrees in the garage. Currently have a stitch and glue night heron and i live very close to  Huntsville  and was looking for a local source for the stringer material so that i dont have to scab it together any help would be appreciated

[Kudzu]

Your only hope of finding something long enough would be WR Cedar. But odds of finding clear stock locally is pretty slim. The cedar that gets sent to AL is likely 2nds or 3rd quality and I have never found a clear board. That is why I advocate learning scarf joints. I have never had a stringer in any of my boats that didn't have at least one scarf in it. Most have at least two. 

 

There are several ways to scarf joints and they are not that hard.First timers are intimidated by them because they look hard. Once you learn how you can use a cheaper grade of wood and just cut the knots out and glue them back together. All  you need is a way to hold the stock and guide your cut so that it is at a consistent angle and a clean cut. 

 

I use a jig I made for my table saw. Some are cutting then on a miter saw. You can cut them by hand with a guide. It's rare these days but if you use hand planes it's really simple then. The rare occasion I need to scarf plywood I use a hand plane.

 

After all that I will give you one POSSIBLE source. Down in Birmingham there is a company called Cole Hall Lumber. I have been meaning to check with them but they are supposed to have long clear cedar and other woods. HOWEVER, I think they are a wholesaler and are not going to be interested in selling one or two boards so I seriously doubt they will be of any help. Other than that possibility I don't know of any others.