BigD

Now if l can figure out how to post the pics...

Firefly, almost finished up, short of seat and back band.

I weighed my firefly frame last week after I got her lashed together. 21.5 lbs + 2 lbs for the combing. Not bad!!

After reading your comments, you made me think about it. I have never broken a piece assembled this way. I made a test piece from the 5/8" x 5/8" stringer scrap. I broke it by clamping about 5" of it to a table leaving 12" hanging off the edge.I then hung a bucket on the end and added weight it failed at about 27 lbs. The glue joint held 100%. The western red cedar failed. I repeated the same test with a virgin piece with same results. I've been a wood worker for over 35 yrs.and only learned this method about 10 yrs. ago. With that said, what works for cabinetry doesn't mean it will work on a boat.

Yeah if I would have known how much time it would take I would have gone with oil. The Finish turned out nice but its a labor of love.

Hey I just wanted to share a technique that I have been using. I make my scarf joints 12" long, use Tightbond III, then use 4" shrink wrap in lieu of clamps. Always wrap at least 5 layers and go past the ends of the joint a couple of inches. The pieces will normally self center. Let cure for 24 hrs.cut the plastic off and clean up with a block plane.

I like your idea about the red pigment. I went with Minwax "sedona red" stain topped with spar varnish. The color is pretty close to the traditional "ocher".