wood for gunwale

[Brent]

I have got my eye on some maple for possible use for the gunwale. What do the wood workers think of maple for exposed wood on a boat?

If maple is not a good choice, what would you recommend?

[Frank Hagan]

Maple isn't used a lot on boats. Even though it is very hard, it isn't very rot resistant when it gets wet.

That being said, if you are making a small boat that won't be outside except for the few hours you are actually using it, you could probably use maple and be OK. But it isn't a traditional boat building wood. (In the back of my mind I have a question about its ability to hold a screw as well ... some woods are just lousy at holding fasteners, but I may be thinking of hemlock in this case).

Douglas fir (also called Oregon pine), white oak, ash, southern yellow pine, honduran mahogany, phillipine mahogany (but its soft) and a few others are used frequently in boats. A good link is at the Glen-L site at http://www.glen-l.com ... on the left side, about half way down, is a link for "Boat Building Wood". They have a listing there.

My theory is that the locale often had more to do with the choice of wood for boatbuilding than any preference for a particular wood, except for governments and others who could afford to import. So it was often the case that boats in the Western US were built with douglas fir, and few in the east were. White oak was used quite a bit in the eastern US, but not in the west. They were local woods that shared at least some strength, resistance to rot, and workability. But that's just my theory :roll: I haven't had any real experts chime in when I've proposed it and verified (or told me I'm all wet!)

[Brent]

Thanks for the info and reference Frank. I found the Glen-L site informative. I am going to keep looking for gunwale woods. I might try to locate some ash or white oak.

There is an interesting discussion on the main forum about keel protection. I like the sacrificial wood strip concept to protect the keel from damage.

[Frank Hagan]

The keel "shoe" idea is an old one, and really works well for boats you expect to beach, etc. Sometimes they use a half-round stainless strip instead of wood, but a hardwood like oak works really well (and fits in with the style of a traditional looking boat.)

[Charlie Jones]

Pretty good post Frank. Maple will hold a screw very well, but the rest is accurate. Long rifle gunshocks were often made of Maple.

Brent- Ash should work quite well. I have a 16 foot cedar strip Chestnut Prospector that is trimmed totally in Ash, finished clear. It's 11 years old, lives under the house and is doing great. My own 21 foot sloop is trimmed on the interior with all Ash, finished clear. I love the light color.

Remember, oars have been made from Ash for years. Ash oars may be a bit heavy for recreational rowing but Ash has done yoman's duty there for years. Also, when battens were made of wood (back when I first began sailing) Ash was used almost exclusively.

[Pat Kelly]

The gunwale/rubrail on my CS20 is made fron 3/8" by 1 1/4" teak I bought from a local cabinet shop here in Gainesville. I resawed to those dimensions because it was all I could get out of the board. I oiled it and screwed it down to make it "sacrificial" but even with several scrapes it still looks good.

Pat

[Gordy Hill]

When the local West Marine was still E&B Marine someone mispriced the 3/4 inch stainless rub rail. It's not half-round, but rather flat stock that has been bent to a similar shape. A friend welded it into 16 foot lengths and welded nice-looking ends on them. I also have the same stuff along my keel.

It looks great and bridges and piers fear me.

[Gordy Hill]

Opps! I also meant to say I think maple would make a fine gunwale. It's strong and hard and finishes beautifully. Finished bright, it would look teriffic. I would, however, take note of Franks concern. Even minor scrapes should be addressed quickly.

.............or you could add stainless steel bash rails........

[Ed Hawkins]

I've always had good luck with ash for gunwales. I've done a couple of canoes. Ash is relatively light and bendy, takes screws and glue pretty well and is pretty tough.