I am trying to make a 10' piece of 1/4" x 1" oak, 10' 4" long. Board stretcher is out of action so I need to join a smaller section to the larger section.

Why oak? Cause I can't find teak with these dimensions anyplace but Thailand. I have used red oak in the past to emulate teak and it looks very nice when lightly stained and varnished. It holds up well if maintained, but is for decorative purposes only.

I was thinking a lap joint but my research says doing a lap joint with such thin wood really weakens the wood at the joint area. There really won't be any stress placed on this but a misplaced whack could crack it. A butt joint looks crappy and is also weak. Any woodworking gurus that can give me an idea?