Welcome to Kerf and Scarph.
Kerf and Scarph. You might think that is a weird title for a blog about cedar strip boats - kayaks, SUPs and canoes. These two obscure woodworking and boat building terms are part of every wooden boat build. It’s a part of your life when you work hundreds of wood strips into wooden sculptures that float.
Kerf: The amount of wood removed during a cut.
Scarph: A joint pairs two pieces of wood that are tapered or beveled to create a long, angled surface creating a longer piece of wood with a strong bond.
For more than ten years, I’ve been building cedar strip “light craft”. Paddle powered vessels suitable for adventures on rivers, lakes, and coastal tides. My family, friends and I enjoyed them. I think I’ve gotten just about good enough to offer my serves to water-loving adventure seekers who want their own beautiful and durable wooden kayaks, paddle board, or canoe. Crafting cedar strip light craft includes more than just knowing about kerfs, scarfs, whiskey strips, and spar varnish. It’s about perfecting a craft. With that said, it’s time to launch!
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Whiskey Strip
Here’s a work-in-progress picture of an 18 foot cedar strip kayak I started working on in January 2025. At this point, I’m about ready to install the whiskey strip. It’s the final strip in the hull and it’s a difficult little maneuver to get the final strip to fit. By tradition, boat builders earn a sip of whiskey when they finish this step in the process, so I’m told.
If you feel like you’re joining me mid process, that’s because you are. I was waiting to see how this kayak would turn out before I started this blog and let adventurous water-loving people know I’m open for commissions. A couple more posts and you’ll be up-to-date.
Could I have used a photo editor to remove the lawn mower from the background? Sure. But it’s there to remind me to mow the lawn after I figure out how to fit this whiskey strip in.
Building the cockpit for a hand-built cedar strip kayak.
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Cut a Hole in it!?!
Building a cedar strip kayak or stand up paddle board takes faith. Faith in the process, your hands, your eye for a fair line and your tools. There are several instances where you build something beautiful and then cut it open.
Buildling the cockpit is a little bit like that. It’s the first (but not last) time you cut into the hull. It usually turns out well, but it’s still unnerving. Here’s a picture of the cockpit being built. The coaming will be built into this space. I’ll share pictures of that when I do it.
Project Update
Starting November 2025, I’ll be open for commissions if someone wants a hand built custom cedar kayak, SUP, or canoe. I may have one prototype kayak on hand if you want one for Christmas 2025. Yep, it’s the one featured above. I’ll share a final photo when it’s ready.
