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Photo Manual

Compumarine Boat Plans
Cedar Strip Small Craft Construction

Cutting strips using a table saw. Table saws, radial arm saws and band saws can all be used for cutting strips. Use what is available to you and what you are comfortable with. A thin kerf blade will cut western red cedar very well. For consistent strip thickness you may wish to use a blade stiffener attachment which will prevent the blade from wandering. You may wish to purchase your strips instead of making them yourself; especially if you do not have a suitable saw available. Strips are available in a number of different types of woods, shapes, sizes and lengths from several suppliers. You will find strip sources listed in some of the boating publications and magazines and on the links page for materials & supplies in Compumarine's web site.

The two strongback rails and the six crossties are cut to size using 2" x 6" lumber. The nine station mold support pieces are made with 2" x 4" lumber. The lumberyard should allow you to select the best warp free and straight pieces you can find. The length of the strongback rails should be cut to the exact length shown in the manual for the size of hull you want to build. The crossties should be cut to approx 5 or 6 inches so that the strongback width is about 8 or 9 inches. That dimension is not critical however, and any convenient width can be used to take advantage of an existing supply of wood. As a general rule, narrow hulls such as canoes, kayaks and rowing shells will use a narrow strongback and wider hulls will use a wider strongback. The power dinghy hull at five feet in width, could be built on a strongback from 12 to 15 inches in width.

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Last updated March 6, 2008

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