Clear, vertical-grain square-cut 1/4" x 3/4" cedar strips. We cut full boards on a multi-blade saw to provide you the best boat strips available. We package in a poly tube, ready for you to pick-up or ship anywhere in the lower '48. Most designs will require about 1200 lineal feet of strips, with the exception of Wee Lassie or Grand Laker, expect about $450 in strip cost.

For centuries boat builders have chosen cedars and with good reason. Sure you can use a less expensive or more exotic wood, chances are it contains too much resin, is more brittle to work with, or you'll end up building a lead-heavy canoe. NorthWest Canoe cuts and stocks boat ready strips so you can start building next weekend.

Western Red Cedar Light weight, very workable species. The grain is uniform and straight. Heartwood turns chocolaty-brown on a finished canoe, sapwood a pale reddish-white. Weighs about 23 lbs cu/ft. We stock boat-length, 17-to-20 foot strips, excellent for stripping small boats. Available for pick-up or ship via common carrier. One downside, it may cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation for some.

Northern White Cedar A fragrant cedar, straight grained and workable. Cutting it with a plane is like shaving butter. Bends and conforms to any shape without splitting. The finished color ranges form pale white to gold. Northern White Cedar makes a striking compliment used in conjunction with red cedar. Weighs about 21 lbs cu/ft. Mid-continent trees do not grow as tall so you will become expert at making scarf joints. The other positive - the 8-foot lengths can ship UPS ground. That means free freight for a boatload of strips.

Pacific Yellow Cedar Longtime favorite for planking wood 'n canvas canoes. With good reason too, a fine uniform texture that works and finishes well. Your canoe or kayak will be a bright clear yellow without any noticeable grain. This species weighs about 32 lbs cu/ft, so you may only want to use it for part of your canoe if final weight is a concern. The strips on hand are 10-to-12 ft in length, available for pick-up or ship via common carrier.