Frequently Asked Questions

 Why buy a Cedar strip boat ?
    There are several advantages of wood construction besides its natural beauty.
    First of all, wood has strength. The weight to strength ratio of wood is better than
    most other materials being used in boat construction. This means that wooden boats
    are lighter and stronger than most boats made from other materials. Wood will also
    withstand constant flexing, thus giving cedar strip boats a softer , quieter ride , even
    in the roughest waters. Wood boats are also easily repaired without the need for
    complicated equipment , hazardous chemicals, or extensive labour. With the
    development of new adhesives to make the joints water tight, advances in varnishes
    and paints to minimize maintenance, plus the natural beauty and warmth of wood,
    you can see that a cedar strip really is the natural choice.

What type of finish is on the boat?
    Our standard finish is three coats of marine spar varnish, but we can use any type
    of varnish or paint you would like. However, since there may be more labour involved
    in applying other finishes , there may be an additional charge. Also we would like to point
    out that although our standard finish is durable and practical, it is not a "high polish" finish.
    To achieve the "high polish " finish more sanding and therefore more labour is required.

How often will I have to refinish the boat?
    How often you refinish will depend on how much the boat is exposed to the weather.
    It's the ultra-violet light that breaks down the varnish and darkens the wood. We recommend
    that you keep the boat in a boat house or garage when not in use. If this is not possible, a mooring
    cover is a good investment.
         
What should I do each year to maintain my boat?
    Again, it will depend on how much the boat is used, but we recommend that you at least do the following:

    1. At the end of the boating season clean out your boat and remove the floorboards. Use warm
    soapy water with a disinfectant (borax or chlorine) and a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much dirt and water as possible.

    2. Store the boat out of the weather. Either outside and covered or inside a storage building or
    garage. It is important that the boat be supported at transom and at the front only to avoid
    creating any hollows in the middle of the boat.

    3. In the spring, a few weeks before you plan to use the boat, check the boat over and apply
    varnish or paint (if needed) on the decks, seats and outside of the boat. On the inside bottom
    (below the seats) apply a coat of a mixture of clear wood preservative , boiled linseed oil
    and varnish (approx. 3 parts wood preservative: 1/2 part linseed oil: 1/2 part varnish)
    note : the linseed oil will darken the wood and is optional.

Another option is to use a mixture of borax and boric acid with water. Use 2 parts borax with 1 part boric acid and mix in hot water until it is dissolved ( 20% solution ) Then spray it into the boat . We recommend this be done in the fall. Once the solution has dried you can apply a light coat of varnish in the spring if needed.

On the inside we recommend that you thin the varnish ( about 20%)and use a spray bottle to apply it.

    4. Enjoy your boat for another season.

Will my boat leak?
    Some of our boats will require a "soaking up" period and for the first 2 to 3 days the boat
    is in the water it will leak. After that it should be watertight for the rest of the season
    (if it is left in the water). If it continues to leak after the third day there may be a problem.
    If so, try to locate the source of the leak and give us a call. In most cases it can be fixed
    easily by you or by us.
 
What can I do to eliminate the "soaking up period"?
    The option of  fiber glassed your boat will eliminate the "soaking up period".
    This is a thin layer of fiber glass applied to the outside bottom of the boat that makes the boat
    completely watertight. We recommend fiber glassing if you can not leave the boat in the water
    all season. Some models have fiber glassing as standard equipment. Please refer to the product
    line section of this website for more details.
   
Will the fiberglass make the boat rot?
    No, the fiberglass is only on one side of the wood . This allows the wood to "breathe", therefore
    it will last just long as a boat without fiberglass ,under the same conditions.

How long will a cedar strip boat last?
    That will depend on how it is maintained, how it is stored and how it is used . The average
    life of a cedar strip, under normal conditions, is about 25 years without any major repairs.
    If the boat is treated with clear wood preservative each spring, and kept as clean and dry as
    possible inside (don't leave water in it over the winter), then it could last 30 or 40 years without
    any major repairs. We have repaired some wooden boats that were over 40 years old and will
    probably last another 40.

How long would I have to wait when I order?
    We have most of our standard models in stock, so there is no need to wait. However if you want
    something that we don't have in stock, it will take between 2 to 6 weeks to build one depending
    on the model and how many options or changes you specify. And yes, we will custom build the
    boat to your specifications. We can not easily change the design of the outside hull, but we can
    do just about anything to the inside design. Show us the plans for the boat of your dreams and we
    will try to make your dreams come true.