What Type Of Wood Is Used For Canoe Stems?

This video demonstrates the process of creating inner and outer stems for a cedar strip canoe. The process involves cutting 20 strips of white ash, which are approximately 14x34x45 inches. A total of 12 strips are needed, with 6 for each end of the canoe. Cedar is the most common wood used for canoe stems, as it is strong, lightweight, resistant to rot and decay, and flexible.

Ash is another popular wood for stems, but not universally available. Other woods that bend easily can be used, such as cherry, cedar, pine, spruce, walnut, etc. Cherry often bends beautifully, while other times it will crack. Northern white cedar is unquestionably the best wood for canoe ribs and planking. For each foot of length of a boat, two board feet of western red cedar or other are used.

The video also discusses the use of black walnut for another canoe, which is considered a hardwood but soft and works well with hand tools. The two woods used for gunwales locally are cedar (rot resistance) and ash (rot resistance and tensile strength). Cedar and cypress are popular choices for building wood strip canoes due to their lightweight nature, rot resistance, and ease of bending.

To create the inner stems, the canoe is removed using a tack remover and a Japanese concave cutter bonsai tool. Each stem piece is about 34 of an inch thick, and the inner stems provide a secure place for the cedar strips. Poplar, white pine, white and red cedar are used for accent strips, and teak is used for hardwood trim pieces, including the stems. Northern white cedar is the best wood for canoe ribs and planking. Bedding compound is applied under stem bands, keels, and other wood joints.