Edwin Monk - How to Build Wooden Boats: With 16 Small-Boat Designs

Boatbuilding Woods

EACH LOCALITY HAS its own boatbuilding woods, the choice of which is governed somewhat by proximity of supply. Oak is probably the only wood universally obtainable for small-boat construction. For this reason the builder should be allowed a great deal of latitude in his selection of materials, and to aid him in this as many timber varieties as possible have been touched in the following specification. In the accompanying plans a certain species has been specified for each particular place or member, but this is intended merely as a guide. Boat lumber may be roughly divided into two classifications, which are: framing lumber, including that suitable for keel and stem; and planking lumber, which should include gunwales, stringers, and clamps.

To be suitable for framing its first requirement, aside from strength, is ability to hold fastenings. Therefore it should possess a certain hardness and closeness of grain. As it is generally in narrow widths a tendency to twist or warp is not a serious defect. As small boats are well ventilated, having very few dead-air spaces in them, there is little danger of dry rot, provided a boat is given a reasonable amount of care.

For planking purposes the lumber should bend easily and stay put after fastening; that is, it should not have a tendency to warp or to curl up at the edges. For this reason vertical grain is always ordered for the top sides at least. Hardness or ability to hold fastenings is not required, as all fastenings are through fastenings.

Weight is often quite a factor in the choice of materials, particularly so if the boat is to be a racing hydroplane or outboard, and for purposes of comparison the weight per cubic foot of most boat woods is given in the following table:

The following is a general classification of boat woods as to purpose for which they are used in small-boat construction.

Keel. Oak, mahogany, Douglas fir, yellow pine, teak, and Alaska cedar.

Stem. Generally of hardwood, oak, mahogany, teak, and bagac.

Planking .The cedars, white, Port Orford, Alaska and Western red; also cypress, mahogany and its sister wood, Spanish cedar; white pine, which is largely used for dories, and Western spruce. Teak is sometimes used, and aside from its weight is of course splendid.

All planking should be practically clear, also vertical grain if possible, particularly for the top sides where also wide planks should be avoided (except for skiffs and similar construction).

Framing .Oak and mahogany are most widely used, but where lightness is a large factor spruce and the harder cedars also, as well as close-grained Douglas fir. These softer woods may be used in any sawed frame boat, but larger fastenings should compensate for the poorer holding power. Material for sawed-frames need not be clear, as knots (if not too many) may be easily avoided and a much cheaper grade of lumber used. Use bending oaks for bent frames.

Transom .Being wide, it has a tendency to warp, which is one objection to oak; nevertheless oak should be included with mahogany, teak, and Spanish cedar. Among the soft woods the harder cedars, spruce, and Douglas fir; these should be vertical grain if possible.

Gunwales .Any of the planking woods will do, but as subject to hard usage, oak or mahogany are better.

Seam Battens, Bilge Stringers, and Seat Risers. Same as planking, but to include oak and yellow pine.

Seats and Floor Boards .Generally are of soft woods, as lightness and weather resistance are most required. The cedars, spruce, Douglas fir, cypress, and white and yellow pine are used though mahogany and Spanish cedar are ideal. The navy often uses ash thwarts or seats.