How about a woody?

[Erich]

I came across this thread today and noticed the discussion of wood. I have not read through the entire thread, so I apologize if I have repeated something already discussed. I have restored wood and canvas canoes over the years and ash is commonly used for the gunnels, thwarts, seats, decks, and stems. Sometimes oak is used for stems. Planking and ribs are either white cedar or red cedar. Most of the problems with the ash occur when the canoes are stored outside, upside down, and water can sit on the upside down decks and contaminate the stems. Standard practice for restoring is to use a good grade of marine varnish with UV protection and oil based. The other issue, is that any fastenings allow water to get in, so you have to seal those as well. Usually, things like the gunnels, are coated on the back side with a mixture of varnish, boiled linseed oil, and a thinner so it soaks into the wood well. Ash is a good hard wood and bends easily without splitting. If a more rot resistant wood is needed, I might suggest Alaskan yellow cedar. It is pretty hard for a soft wood and very rot resistant. Teak was discussed but it is very heavy. Ipe is also hard and rot resistant, but difficult to work with and like teak, dulls blades quickly and is heavy.

Erich in Seattle