Doug Taylor
05-28-2009, 1:52 AM
Hello,
I'm new to this site. I wonder if anybody can offer an opinion on use of Pacific Northwest local varieties of wood for rowing skiff or dory. I refer to Western Red Cedar for planking, and Douglas Fir for framing and longitudinals.
I see most of the great authors on the subject, Chapelle, Gardner, Rabl, etc., addressed woods found back East, White Oak, Northern White Cedar, Cypress, Spruce, and so on.
I ask because I have a stock of Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar comes my way on occasion, too. I would like a decent boat that does not cost my pension to build. I will use marine fir plywood despite the checking problems since it is local and less expensive than imported. I am OK with epoxy and sheathing, not totally traditional. I want a boat to row and sail, not a museum piece.
Thanks, Gents, Doug Taylor, Bainbridge Island, WA
I'm new to this site. I wonder if anybody can offer an opinion on use of Pacific Northwest local varieties of wood for rowing skiff or dory. I refer to Western Red Cedar for planking, and Douglas Fir for framing and longitudinals.
I see most of the great authors on the subject, Chapelle, Gardner, Rabl, etc., addressed woods found back East, White Oak, Northern White Cedar, Cypress, Spruce, and so on.
I ask because I have a stock of Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar comes my way on occasion, too. I would like a decent boat that does not cost my pension to build. I will use marine fir plywood despite the checking problems since it is local and less expensive than imported. I am OK with epoxy and sheathing, not totally traditional. I want a boat to row and sail, not a museum piece.
Thanks, Gents, Doug Taylor, Bainbridge Island, WA