Inside Gunwales

Guys I am always trying to come up with new woods for some parts of a canoe. Was thinking about black ash for an inside gunwale. Maybe birch. I have used cyprus before with wonderful results....I can't get that wood anymore since I moved away from the south. I have my own sawmill so that is why I like to try different woods. I did try black ash one time for the stem pieces with not so good luck. They did not bend very good. So was wondering what woods have worked for you guys???

Steve