Giok, one thing Adirondack chairs wouldn't have been built from in the Adirondacks is western red cedar. Eastern white, logically enough, being the local material on this side of the Great Divide.
Well, I got so inspired yesterday I started rebuilding the (completely absent) cockpit of the 'yak. It was a perennial weak spot, since the original rim was 3/4 x 1/2" bent pine and there's always a tendency to lift the boat by grabbing said rim. To replace it with available material, I selected a curved piece of oak sawn as a rocking-chair rocker--I got a bunch of these at an auction once. I ripped it in two and routed a lip onto each piece (to hold a spray skirt, someday). Presto, cockpit sides. Real sturdy ones. (OK, it'll be substantially heavier, but I'd rather have the weight than watch it break again). Now I'm rebuilding the centre frames so there'll be something to attach the cockpit to!
Don, a couple of questions for the master. I think these frames are red oak--I know white would be better, but have you used or seen red oak used successfully in boatbuilding? And would you recommend finishing them before the deck goes on? I imagine spar varnish would be good, or do you think tung oil is better?
It was a good day in the shop. My super-funky old Beaver bandsaw didn't throw a blade, and the belt sander didn't shred a drive belt. Minor miracles both.