Stringer Knots

[SBknox]

I am new to this hobby and very excited to get started. I looked over the western red cedar at the lumber yard this week and they had plenty to choose from.

7/8" thick and pretty clear. My question is regarding scarfs. Since I have no reference points yet, would someone be kind enough to post a photo of a

stringer with a knot in it that is considered acceptable. When looking thru the boards, it will help me to know what will "float" and what won't. (pun intended)

[Kudzu]

I don't have a photo handy but no knots are obviously the best. If a stringer has more than 10 maybe 15 percent of it width in a knot I am gong to cut it out and make a scarf joint to put it back together because it is a weak spot. Due to the poor quality of the lumber I have to choose from every stringer on a boat I build will have at least one scarf it in, two is likely. It's hard to describe, it's one of those I just look at it and know.

[Hirilonde]

SOF boats get their strength from the design. It is the integration of pieces that individually are not especially strong that yield the strength. Because each stringer is itself not especially strong, because it gets it's strength from the grain direction, any compromise from a knot is significant. Factor in also that scarf joints, once you have done a few are not hard to make and I would not take any chances with knots at all. If it (the knot) even makes you think about it, cut it out.

[Kudzu]

If it (the knot) even makes you think about it, cut it out.

I like that! I may start using it.