Certainly the Gougeon book is essential reading if you're contemplating a
cold-molded hull. If you are still interested , the next step is finding the
needed veneers. I recently bought some LOVELY honduras mahogany veneer from
Edensaw in Seattle.

If you want to avoid having to do a glass overlay, consider using a firmer
species than cedar for the outermost ply.

jotis wrote:

Hello Jim-

Thank you for your very interesting analysis of why it is so difficult to
get much information about cold-molding; it looks like it has become
obsolete. Nevertheless, the process appears to be so fascinating that I hate
to discard the idea altogether.

Frankly, one of the benefits that I perceived with cold-molding was that it
would not require a skin of fiberglass (the very thought of which makes my
skin quiver), but I am coming to realize that and education - and some
experience with - fiberglass is becoming a necessity.

There is a good deal of information about strip planking around, and will
reconsider that mode of construction.

Thanks again,

Joseph



"Jim Conlin" wrote in message
...
The veneer cold-molding process is well documented in the Gougeon book.
(Western red) cedar veneer was the preferred material. Eventually, it was
figured out that the addition of a light fiberglass skinn was needed to
protect
the soft cedar. The strip canoe folks figured out that if there was a
structural glass skin on both sides, multiple layers of wood core weren't
necessary and the skins gave adequate 'thwartship strength. So, for boats
under
thirty feet, cold-molding with veneers has been largely replaced by strip
composite construction. Less labor, cheaper materials, equal product.
That's why it's now hard to find cedar veneers.