KStier

I just ordered a Shad kit and need to locate stringer/keel/gunwale lumber. I have seen the same rough-on-one-side cedar at Lowes...anybody know what species of cedar they are selling? It's simply labeled 'cedar' but they do have 1x 10' and 12' and some of it is pretty clear and knot-free.

For all the reasons that Rich mentioned I would be interested in something that gets me past the choose a wood/find the wood/procure the wood/prepare the wood stages of your builds...

Four at once! Looking real nice...identical?

Didn't take long to find the link... http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/dangers_of_the_delaware_river_6_drownings_in_july.html Not all paddlers but it's still scary what people think they are capable of or think they know and how much they underestimate Mother Nature...

There was recently a scary article in the Star Ledger here in NJ about the number of fatalities on the delaware river this year...I don't remember the numbers but deaths, I believe, are in the dozens, and if memory serves only one or two were wearing PFDs...

As a former collegiate rower and sculler (sculler on the side, not much collegiate sculling) I'd say that if you want to be fast you'll essentially copy dimensions from one of the big and successful companies...vespoli, empacher, resolute etc. Even in the amateur ranks you will see very high end boats made from very lightweight composites, fiberglass, carbon fiber etc. I've seen some very attractive wooden sculls but to be competitive...I don't know if that's realistic. My shell was something like 25 feet long and weighed in at something like thirty pounds give or take. That was in the 1990s so my memory may not serve. I'm sure they've gotten lighter since. Could be a true work of art though.