Choice of wood for Spindrift

[davidpm]

The plans mention spruce and fir.

The only spruce I know of at the lumber yard is furring strips which is very knotty. Is that OK?

Maybe for transom stiffener.

The gunwales have to be clear of course and I think clear fir 1 x 4 for decks is available. Is that the stuff?

I haven't been to a lumber yard in some time but this is what i remember.

Number 2 pine is available but that was not mentioned in the plans.

[Scott Dunsworth]

Some of the Lowes carry Douglas fir select 1 by in lenghts from 2' to 14'. It is clear and 2" to 6" wide. Its all I  used on my Belhaven. But the last time I was in the store I couldn't find it. Asking a salesperson for Douglas fir is fun, they get that deer in the headlight look.

Most real lumber yards have Douglas fir in 2 bys. Its used for long rafters. I just bought a stick that was 24 feet long for $28. You can cut all of the 1 bys you'll need.

Scott

[davidpm]

Thanks that makes sense. Ask around and select the best.

A couple of years ago I found some 1x4 Mahogany like wood (who knows where from) for decking completely clear.

I dried it and resawed and milled it into kitchen cabinets.

Same basic process.

I'm buying the real Okume ply however but am too embarrassed to say what I'm planning on paying for it.

[Steve Day]

I ended up using poplar and oak on my gunwhales. It was relatively expensive, but it looks very nice on the boat. I used spruce and fir on the centerboard and rudder and I didn't have too much trouble finding clear stuff long enough to do that.

Just hunt around until you find something you like that will do the job. Ray is correct about not having knots in the wood. It just isn't good for strength, and it looks like $#@* too. I would recommend you look at the local lumber yard and stay away from the "big box" stores, if you can.

Steve

[Greg H]

I absolutely love working with poplar, but would never consider using it on a boat. Of all the readily available woods in this country, poplar is the worst when exposed to water (IMHO).

Cheers

[Steve Day]

One of the great advantages in using the poplar in the gunwhales of my Spindrift is that is is totally covered with epoxy and varnish and is out in the open where I can watch it.

I'm not sure I would use it in any other application on a boat, but it was available and I liked the grain structure and color for this application.

Steve