Well, I am now at an important point of the project. What am I am going to choose as my timber?
Well, this isn't an easy choice but I have decided to follow my instincts.
I know Dave Gentry would recommend Western Red Cedar but in Australia, it is an imported timber and in the current environment that really raises the price.
The other species that I have quicker access to that is an Australian native is Hoop Pine. I use this timber mainly in furniture but I know it is also a boat making timber. Over the space of 7.3m, it should also have the flex I need to bend it around the ribs. I have heard of it being used on the net on various forum sites so I think it might be ok.
Using my calculations the difference between Hoop pine and Western Red Cedar the difference is basically 1:2. The price I got for my hoop pine quote was half the price of the WRC. It is important to remember that price isn't the only factor.
I was able to email Dave for a second opinion. I did this because my background is in basic construction, furniture design and as a Teacher in Design Technology. Boats present a new challenge. His basic response is as follows and it echos some of my thoughts.
WRC is very light and flexible, and strong enough. Rot resistance is just a bonus. If you are using a different type of wood - hoop pine? - then it will be stronger, but stiffer and heavier than WRC.
If you can find a wood lighter than Hoop pine, but less $ than WRC, it will make you much happier in the end. It need not be very flexible, as the bends on your boat are pretty easy.
I have been working with a timber yard for a few years now and can trust that they will look after me. Talk to your supplier. Don't just wander down to your local big-box store, look around your area and talk with people. I find people are interested in what I'm doing. Yards are used to supplying big quantities of timber to businesses of building sites. If you get the right person on the right day, you will get good results.
Dave also mentioned that you can save money by getting rough-cut boards. "If the boards are super rough, you can quickly just run a hand plane over the outer surfaces (only), to get the worst, and be done. The frame is all covered and no one will see your beautiful, expensive, sanded stringers."
This said I will try and speed my project up by using dressed timber. it's not needed but in the dimensions I want, it will speed up the project and already a part of the price from my yard.
I need to do my best to stay on track and get into other areas such as getting ready to do all the scarfing of timber with a jig for my drop saw for a 1:6 joint and making the Strongback.
D
Comments