Barrelback project boat

[Dunfer]

I'm getting ready to start building a 19' Barrelback like the old Chris-Crafts. The plans are ok for the frame and etc. but specify Mahogony for the frame members. I plan on encapsulating all framing with epoxy and fibreglas for moisture protection and strength. Do I need to use mahogany or can I use a less expensive more readily available material? I even thought about plywood. I will have a lot more questions as I progress i'm sure. Thanks for any help tho.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Barrelback project boat

You might check out this thread. Be sure to click on the "riviera Project" link. These people would sure be able to answer some of your questions. <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=001373 <br /><br />Also you should have posted in the 'boat projects and back yard building" forum. Be sure to keep your eye open there. Lots of info.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats and good luck with your project.

 

[dwci97]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Email this guy who makes custom wood boats. He is an expert...<br /><br />bentwoodboats@aol.com<br /><br />his name is Doug and he will be very helpful to you in your project. He is custom building a barrelback 31 footer right now.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Wouldn't use plywood as most is held together with water soluable glue.<br /><br />"Mahogany" is usually kind of a generic term, for fine grained medium strength wood.<br /><br />Quality wood is expensive, whichever one you choose.<br /><br />Yellow birch or maple would look nice.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Mahogany(Swietenia spp.) is definately not generic...I would never use a whitewood such as birch or maple on a boat. Maple and birch are not durable in wet conditions, extreme movement in wet conditions, not bug resistant at all, do not hold nails well, heavy, hard to work...need I go on. <br />I only say this Roscoe, because all the things that maple and birch don't do well...Honduras Mahogany does extremely well. It's expensive of course, but is the best suited wood for building the frames for boats. <br />Dunfer...you should check with other boatbuilders, but in my experience if you attempt to seal the framing and are not 100% successful, you end up with wood that cannot dry, and you end up with rot problems. <br />I don't intend to be disagreeable Roscoe, but these things I know...

 

[Dunfer]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Thanks Boomyall, I'll do that and also post in the other area. Sure appreciate the help

 

[Dunfer]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Man, I didn't expect such great help. What a great site.<br /><br />DW, I will look up that site as soon as I get done here. Can't thank you enough.

 

[Dunfer]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Roscoe,<br />I'm with you on the beauty of Maple, I like the looks of Black Walnut also. I'll look into it as maybe being a problem tho. <br /><br />I guess plywood was just wishful thinking. <br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[Dunfer]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Chief,<br /><br />I have a local source for a cpl different kinds of mahogony, all in the $7.00/bf range. I used to be a residential general contractor and in the old days mahogany was cheap...not so much now.<br /><br />Are you saying that even with mahogany frame work I would not be wise to encapsulate it in epoxy? Or any other wood?<br /><br />Thanks Chief for the input it means alot

 

[roscoe]

Re: Barrelback project boat

OK Chief, when it comes to boats and wet conditions, I'll conceed that REAL mahogany has an advantage.<br />But unless you know where it is coming from, and what type it is, you won't know what you are getting.<br /><br />I've seen lots of different types of wood, from all over the world, that has been labeled "Mahogany".<br /><br />If you can find a supplier that can get you a specific type, great.<br /><br />But I have seen some beautiful boats and canoes made out of ash, maple, and birch.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Barrelback project boat

roscoe,<br /> You also missed the target on the plywood glue. All exterior plywood, and maybe interior now, uses the same glue as marine plywood. It is not water soluble.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Barrelback project boat

Dunfer...the best mahogany to use would be Honduras Mahogany(Swietenia macrophylla)...but there are some African mahoganies(Khaya grandifoliola) that might be less expensive and will do the job just as well, but may be about 10% heavier. <br />When I need mahogany for a boat project I will use the Honduras variety. I don't encapsulate the interior lofting on a wood planked boat, but I would paint it...if at any time the woodwork gets wet, it needs ventilation so it can dry...in other words if it's not 100% sealed you end up with problems with dry rot quicker than if not sealed. <br />Roscoe...I love wood, I worked with it all my life. A hardwood planked boat is beautiful, but the 2 types of wood you mention should only be used for planking, and on a small enough boat the you can store it dry and out of the sun.<br />I've never used American Walnut(Juglans nigra) in boatbuilding projects, but I am about to use it on the gunwales of the boat I am building now...should be fine...we'll see... <br />There are several other exotic woods from tropical rain forests that will do fine, I am just not that familiar with them...