: I am about to build the coaming lip on the Great Auk I am working on and I do
: not have any Ash at my disposal. I have Tamarack, Pine, Butternut and of
: course - Cedar. Any thoughts on which would be best? Has anyone used any
: of these other species to build a coaming lip?

I agree with Nick, try and use some butternut. I have a nice butternut board that I picked up from the local mill. I sliced a small 2 by 6 sample off of it and finished it with some varnish. I was amazed at how beautiful it was. It has a similar grain to walnut, but is closer in color to cherry. It is relatively soft, and I imagine it would bend well if cut thin, or steamed.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide,

Simon Baillie