> I am considering building my first strip kayak. I have a couple of large
> birch trees that blew down in my yard this winter. I was waiting for
> warmer weather to get out with my chain saw to cut them for firewood, but
> then thought about them as strips for the kayak. I have read in other
> postings on this bulletin board about people getting satisfactory results
> with birch plywood, but have seen no comments about solid birch. Anybody
> know if this is an acceptable wood? What do I need to do to the wood to
> make it useable? Can I just go cut strips out of my downed trees or do do
> I have to kiln dry larger cuts then cut finer into strips? This could be a
> lot more fun than cutting the birch into firewood. Thanks for your help.
> Roland

Birch is great wood for funiture not boat. The nice gain pattern look good for coffee table, but when cut into thin strips as in SB, it breaks. I have also heard it somewhere that it rot quickly in salt water. I definately would not cut it for firewood. A nice burly cup would be nice, you can still burn the shaving.