what kind of wood do I want to use?

[Mr.Stuart]

I have a thread started on a rebuild project that I'm working on but thought if I started a new thread on this subject, maybe got some more opinions on wood type.

The boats a 12 foot aluminum row boat, with 3 bench seats, a transom and motor pad, (see picture) all the wood that was in it was plywood, I want to go with a solid wood instead of plywood, I figured I could stain it and lacquer it to bring out the grain and give it a nice finish, but here's my question.

What kind of wood do I want to use? I was thinking of pine because it's relatively inexpensive, and I can always stain it to get the color out of it I want, what other suggestions do you people have for me other then using pine? Maybe something that would hold up a little better? Or less susceptible to rot, I'm also going to be putting in a wood slat floor, something to make the boat a little more vintage. And planed on staining and varnishing or lacquering that as well.

The first place I need to start with is wood, what kind of wood do I want?

I've also attached a picture of what it looked like with the old wood in it so you have an idea of what I want to do.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

You might try white oak or pecan. They do not have the open lesions of red oak. Salt them down and use linseed oil as a finish before installing them and I think you will be well satisfied as to the look and the longivity.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

the oak & pecan are going to be expensive. pine is going to split in the sun. i would go back with exterior ply, run a 1x2 band along the exposed edges. seal with sand and sealer, then stain the color you want. followed by several costs of valspar varnish.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

Or cypress, if you can find it.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

particle board, particle board, gotta love using particle board. Remember that song? "particle board". Just kidding i dont think particle board is a verry smart wood to use in boat construction. Who knows though maybee you want your deck to swell like a spunge.

 

[QC]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

I am with tashasdaddy on this although I would use Lauan (Luan) Marine plywood and coat first with epoxy resin and then spar varnish . . . Two coats of epoxy will seal and strengthen it, and the varnish protects form UV. Would be very durable.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

I would think the pine would be fine if you want a fancy finish. if you need to laminate to make the pieces wider, you should use polyester or epoxy glue and biscuits. Coat all sides of the pine with several coats of spar urethane. if you give up on the fine finish, use solid pressure treated lumber.

Luan plywood has two issues, one is that plywood will delaminate in comparison to solid wood. The second is that the finishes have a hard time sticking to the oily luan. Remember luan is another species of mohogany.

 

[QC]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

That's what the epoxy is for ^^^^^^^^

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

I am with T.D. the pine especially on the seats is going to want to split and or cup with that wide of a piece. Oak would be very nice but would be expensive to buy new. Ply would work well but as stated above the edges would have to be banded with solid wood. Then all would have to be sealed very well. Just to think outloud for a second I bet the seats could be done with two pieces of a trex type material they have it now in a wide range of colors and with a grain pattern in it. Then you wouldnt have to worry about varnish, sealer, paint etc. you might have to support the center with a piece of flat steel attached to what is already there then you could put a small gap between the two boards to allow water to run off easier. If you used something like that you maybe could go with redwood for the rest of the trim in the back and along the side(s) redwood is very waterproof and if oiled well will stand up to a lot. No matter what you do though I would keep a tarp over it when not in use or turn it over on some blocks otherwise the sun will eat whatever you do. One other thought would be to use cedar its very weather resistant, is not super expensive, and can be bought in long lengths and up to a 1x12" wide... Good luck and post back when finished.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

the problem with cedar is it splinters easily. and is soft.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

T.D. I agree with the splintering and softness issues do you think it could work if he used the smooth side and sealed it up real well especially the ends. I live in utah and we get pretty brutal weather here 100's in the summer and 0 and below with lots of snow in the winters. Most wood fences are made with cedar and seem to hold up well in the weather, but then you aren't sitting on them either. I think oak would be cool but would cost a fortune. Around here cedar is fairly priced and does come in a lot of widths and lengths.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

i have some oak in one of my boats, it has split, and going to be replaced. really did not like the sun, and temperature changes.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

i have some oak in one of my boats, it has split, and going to be replaced. really did not like the sun, and temperature changes.

How about Douglas Fir? Good strong allweather wood. Just don't sand to much or you will raise the grain pattern. Nice redish color like cedar.

 

[DJ]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

the oak & pecan are going to be expensive. pine is going to split in the sun. i would go back with exterior ply, run a 1x2 band along the exposed edges. seal with sand and sealer, then stain the color you want. followed by several costs of valspar varnish.

Yup! It finishes up nice and you can find pieces at good prices. Like QC said, go with Luan if you can get it. It may seem expensive but it will be the last time it has to be replaced-if done right.

Think out your cuts, you'd be surprised what you can get out of a 4' X 8' sheet.

 

[oops!]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

mind if i jump in on this???

to get a solid wood big enough for a transom.....get in a time machine and.....

forget pine...its a soft wood...cedar...good in water/ wont hold a screw...
you need a hard wood....oak has been used for centuries...cause it works.

you just want a good finish right.....????

....use the standard approach....pressure treated plywood.....two sheets.....lam/glassed togeather...and veneer what ever kind of wood/look you want to it.....i would suggest oak.....dont forget the edges....stain it however you want.....after you have got it looking right....resin....uv rated...

as for the floor.....your job is allready half done......un finished solid wood home flooring...id suggest oak...5 inch as thick as you can buy
i understand you want to go..with a plank look...just router off the tounge and groove.....stain it however you want...again use uv rated resin top and bottom .... sprinkle sand on the finish coat of resin for grip....if what im imagining is what you want...the project will be the nicest looking alum around.....

there ya go.....done the way the i boats forum says it should be done and gives you exactally what you want.

hope that helps
oops

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: what kind of wood do I want to use?

It depends on what kind of wood you want to use. Then you'll know what kind of wood to use. Once you decide what kind of wood you want to use you will know what kind of wood to get. If you decide to get P/T plywood then you dont want to get pine 2X6's because a pine 2X6 is not P/T plywood. A pine 2X6 is not at all like P/T plywood. But you can first decide on what kind of wood you want to use then you will know. If you decide to get roofing 1/2" thick ply then you will want to buy "roofing 1/2" thick Plywood". That way you know that you buy the same kind of wood that you decide that you want to use. If you do in fact decide you want to get "roofing plywood" then dont buy 2X6's cause thats not plywood. A 2x6 is more like a piece of solid timber where plywood is more like a sheet. If you figure out what kind of wood you want to use than get whatever you decide you would like to use. If you decide that Plywood is what you want then get that! A 2X6 is just like plywood except its nothing like it. Thats the most important thing to remember. Just like, pine is the same as hardwood except it is nothing like it.