Being pretty new myself, I didn’t realize you were also a new member
@Kliff welcome aboard! I will be observing in rapt amazement, often having no idea what the experienced builders are talking about.
@Jim Dodd what is the “skilsaw” method? Why is it superior to a table saw? This seems back’ards to me, but my carpentry experience is framing and hanging doors mostly.
Yes ! Many are amazed that I didn't use a tablesaw. When I started building over 30 yrs ago, I didn't have money for a tablesaw, or the space to use it. After doing all the research, I bought every building book I could get ! The Minnesota Canoe Association had a Builders book. In there was described the Skilsaw method. You simply use your strongback as a saw horse. to hold you planks, I'll link two threads.
Imagine pushing a 1x12x16' plank through a tablesaw ? Yeah , back in the day you could find 1X WRC planks 12" wide ! 16' was as long as I could find. Now again imagine pushing one of those planks through a table saw, and getting any kind of uniformity out of the strips ? Dream on ! In comes the Skilsaw. It solved all the problems of the tablesaw. Affordable, half the space required, I could easily do it outside, and most of all ? Accurate ! The uniformity of the strip thickness is amazing !
With an inexpensive 24 T blade, Freud's "Diablo", 7 1/4" blade fits the bill perfect. Coupled that with a Skilsaw ( Brand of your choice) of at least 13 amps, and a piece of Aluminum angle clamped to the base, you are good to go. The Thin kerf saves a lot of wood, meaning more strips.
By the way 2, 1x12x16' planks was enough to build a solo canoe ! 30yrs ago they cost $26 a piece.
Here are the links, in this site.
Skilsaw method
Skilsaw method of cutting strips
Jim