Craig Johnson
Lifetime member
I am moving this thread out of the serial number section.
When I agreed to take on this project I didn't realize Joe used 6" wide western red cedar for the period of time in which it was built. So serendipity but several years ago I connected with an Amish sawyer to get some sassafras for paddle making. We got talking about canoes and woods used in them. Some time later he contacted me (via post card) to let me know that he had some 32' long 100+year old WRC utility poles. We cut them to 16' and I helped decide how to saw them to select out the clear stock for planking. The poles were maybe 24' diameter at the base and had unbelievably tight grain.
Any way, lucky for me or Mike ( the owner of the canoe) that I had this on hand. I pulled out a piece 14" wide by 2" thick and milled up some beautiful clear planking today. Have to put in the new stem and a couple of new ribs and I will be all set to plank.
![P1140003.jpg P1140003.jpg](https://forums.wcha.org/data/attachments/36/36948-88faa59fee9aae4406b8a87b3636d07f.jpg?hash=iPqln-6ark)
When I agreed to take on this project I didn't realize Joe used 6" wide western red cedar for the period of time in which it was built. So serendipity but several years ago I connected with an Amish sawyer to get some sassafras for paddle making. We got talking about canoes and woods used in them. Some time later he contacted me (via post card) to let me know that he had some 32' long 100+year old WRC utility poles. We cut them to 16' and I helped decide how to saw them to select out the clear stock for planking. The poles were maybe 24' diameter at the base and had unbelievably tight grain.
![IMG_0861.JPG IMG_0861.JPG](https://forums.wcha.org/data/attachments/36/36946-a64e2799e89192719e4a526f9925b797.jpg?hash=pk4nmeiRkn)
Any way, lucky for me or Mike ( the owner of the canoe) that I had this on hand. I pulled out a piece 14" wide by 2" thick and milled up some beautiful clear planking today. Have to put in the new stem and a couple of new ribs and I will be all set to plank.
![P1140001.jpg P1140001.jpg](https://forums.wcha.org/data/attachments/36/36947-8f4d58e9ea7aa3c0eed5358f2259aaeb.jpg?hash=j01Y6ep6o8)
![P1140003.jpg P1140003.jpg](https://forums.wcha.org/data/attachments/36/36948-88faa59fee9aae4406b8a87b3636d07f.jpg?hash=iPqln-6ark)