spar timber: Larch

[tfxman]

Is Larch an appropriate timber for small boat spars (2 1/2" diameter, 13' length)?

[Pete E]

Western Larch is a softwood. It is one of the strongest softwoods. If what you have is completely dry and pitch free. I say go for it.

[Max F]

Larch is very heavy though. Not perfekt for a spar.
My choice would be something lighter like pine or spruce.

[Thorne]

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[Torna]

The larch we have here would be totally full of knots - not good.

13' x 2 1/2" dia is so small that my mind first springs to two nice clear spruce 2x4s from your local lumber store. Probably $15 total.
You could hog out a small rabbett from each of them before gluing together - making the spar lighter at (no) reduction in strength while also reducing its liklihood of checking.

My 2 cents,
-leif