> Okay. You all have me hooked. I have to build a kayak. I am doing a lot of
> research and reading right now (but Nick you'll get an order from me
> soon). I have looked but not found answers though I am sure these
> questions have been asked before. If so please just point me in the right
> direction. No need to rehash old answers.

> 1) I cannot find a 2x4 long enough and straight enough for my strong back.
> I am thinking about building one up from finished particle board. I do not
> have the ability to rip wood either per Nick's suggestion. But I can find
> strips of particle board nearly the correct dimensions that I can use. Has
> anyone else tried this? Pros and cons? The dimensions will not build up to
> 2x4 exactly. I know there is nothing magical about those numbers. I will
> just have to adjust the hole dimensions I cut in the forms right?

> 2) Since I cannot make my own strips I was thinking of going with the
> cedar cove and bead strips as supplied by Noah's Marine. Can anyone speak
> to the quality of their wood. Also I noticed that the strips are slightly
> wider than most others. Has this been a problem? I will likely order a few
> extra strips of other colors for accents. Will 55-65 of those strips be
> enough for a first time builder?

> 3) I am in the San Francisco Bay area. I have found a local club's
> website. Good information there. Anyone else from around here have any
> good places to buy wood or other supplies? (Instead of going with Noah's
> Marine, in other words... give me a good reason to buy a table saw!)

> 4) My wife wants me to do this as much as I do... but she may not realize
> the time involved... any support groups for the wives? Okay just joking.

> Thanks a lot to you all. I know that I will have more questions in the
> future and hope to be able to supply a few answers soon as well.

> Chris

Chris, I had the same problem finding a good 2x4 and ended up with a 2x4 aluminum extrusion and I'm glad I did. It is dead straight and did not sag after installing the forms. I used Mike allens spacers and wedges idea to hold forms and this method worked great. I did have to drill and tap holes for my spacers but I used a cordless drill to tap the holes quickly in the aluminum. I sprayed the beam with blue layout fluid and scribed all form placement lines which makes it much easier to see than a pencil line on raw aluminum.

Larry C.