I would take issue with the advice to not use construction grade lumber. I have often found clear 2x12 and 2x10 sticks of Southern Yellow Pine that are downgraded because of wane (bark on the corners or edges) which is easily trimmed. A flat sawn 2x10 can yield a batch of quarter sawn 1x2's. I have built several boats with SYP construction plywood and they have lasted a long time when taken care of. The stuff can be quite strong if you carefully pick your pieces, which the big box stores allow to some extent. Plywood of the same grade varies a lot from one bundle to the next.
As a 35 year experienced carpenter, as well as a boatbuilder, I have seen a decline in quality and availability of lumber for sure. And as an advocate for sustainability, this makes sense. The clear, vertical grain redwood, cedar, pine, spruce etc etc was all coming from Old Growth trees that were clearcut harvested. If you've ever been to an old growth forest and seen the beauty and majesty of these trees, you will understand that cutting down 600 yr old trees to build houses and boats that last maybe 50 years is not a sustainable or appropriate use. So it's past time for boatbuilders to move on from the Old Growth, clear vertical gain woods, and start to embrace and work with alternative materials. There is a lot out there, especially in engineered lumber that uses 3'd and 4th gen wood that is harvested and replanted.
This is just the way it is. Lamenting the lack of these beautiful woods is looking to the past. If you believe in the future, time to look for better choices. IMHO.....
Over the roughly fifty years I fiddled with boats I saw teak go from wild caught, so to speak, to farmed with concomitant wider growth rings and higher prices. And I saw Honduras Mahogany, my favorite boat building wood go from inexpensive and full stacks in the lumber yard to sparse stacks and much more expensive. Other woods have come and gone but these were my staples and remind me of hen's teeth now.
Our marine carpenter friend says material selection is the difference between making a 7 year boat or a 100 year boat. From there we find care and maintenance have the most impact on boat life. Work boats worked themselves to death before the wood rotted. Sam Rabl shared a nice wood selection guide that we reference, and we have a post about it on our blog: http://smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/2017/09/wood-selection-table-by-sam-rabl-27-sep.html
I'm not sure who would put effort to build a wooden boat and not take a little effort to cover it! Even folks with fiberglass boats often cover them. Re wood supplies...I've found thinking ahead helps if building is planned! Often a stack of wide 12" x 16' x 1 1/2 spruce or cedar will yeild one our two lengths that have few knots! The trouble is finding a yard that lets you "pick" a pile! The next issue is transporting, not a problem if owning a truck or van but a car? A roof rack works though...THis only helps folks who drive by a Home Depot or the like from time to time as going out of your way, eats gas money that would be better spent ordering in, good wood! If picking a pile, pick the lighter wood! It is dryer but of course will still need prope drying time before using! Just an option for you all...BestRoy
Ive been finding old growth, very clear SYP in my local home depot, 2 different stores. 2x8 and bigger joists. Clear as the blue sky or very near. Extremely tight growth rings. The cheapest way to get clear lumber I can find. No way to tell which SYP, but highly likely Loblolly.
I would take issue with the advice to not use construction grade lumber. I have often found clear 2x12 and 2x10 sticks of Southern Yellow Pine that are downgraded because of wane (bark on the corners or edges) which is easily trimmed. A flat sawn 2x10 can yield a batch of quarter sawn 1x2's. I have built several boats with SYP construction plywood and they have lasted a long time when taken care of. The stuff can be quite strong if you carefully pick your pieces, which the big box stores allow to some extent. Plywood of the same grade varies a lot from one bundle to the next.
As a 35 year experienced carpenter, as well as a boatbuilder, I have seen a decline in quality and availability of lumber for sure. And as an advocate for sustainability, this makes sense. The clear, vertical grain redwood, cedar, pine, spruce etc etc was all coming from Old Growth trees that were clearcut harvested. If you've ever been to an old growth forest and seen the beauty and majesty of these trees, you will understand that cutting down 600 yr old trees to build houses and boats that last maybe 50 years is not a sustainable or appropriate use. So it's past time for boatbuilders to move on from the Old Growth, clear vertical gain woods, and start to embrace and work with alternative materials. There is a lot out there, especially in engineered lumber that uses 3'd and 4th gen wood that is harvested and replanted.
This is just the way it is. Lamenting the lack of these beautiful woods is looking to the past. If you believe in the future, time to look for better choices. IMHO.....
Over the roughly fifty years I fiddled with boats I saw teak go from wild caught, so to speak, to farmed with concomitant wider growth rings and higher prices. And I saw Honduras Mahogany, my favorite boat building wood go from inexpensive and full stacks in the lumber yard to sparse stacks and much more expensive. Other woods have come and gone but these were my staples and remind me of hen's teeth now.
Our marine carpenter friend says material selection is the difference between making a 7 year boat or a 100 year boat. From there we find care and maintenance have the most impact on boat life. Work boats worked themselves to death before the wood rotted. Sam Rabl shared a nice wood selection guide that we reference, and we have a post about it on our blog: http://smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/2017/09/wood-selection-table-by-sam-rabl-27-sep.html
I'm not sure who would put effort to build a wooden boat and not take a little effort to cover it! Even folks with fiberglass boats often cover them. Re wood supplies...I've found thinking ahead helps if building is planned! Often a stack of wide 12" x 16' x 1 1/2 spruce or cedar will yeild one our two lengths that have few knots! The trouble is finding a yard that lets you "pick" a pile! The next issue is transporting, not a problem if owning a truck or van but a car? A roof rack works though...THis only helps folks who drive by a Home Depot or the like from time to time as going out of your way, eats gas money that would be better spent ordering in, good wood! If picking a pile, pick the lighter wood! It is dryer but of course will still need prope drying time before using! Just an option for you all...BestRoy
Ive been finding old growth, very clear SYP in my local home depot, 2 different stores. 2x8 and bigger joists. Clear as the blue sky or very near. Extremely tight growth rings. The cheapest way to get clear lumber I can find. No way to tell which SYP, but highly likely Loblolly.