Glen-L marine designs

BOATBUILDING WITH PLYWOOD, by Glen L. Witt

CHAPTER 5 - LUMBER

Page 5

WOOD USE AND CHARACTERISTICS CHART

The Wood Characteristics chart (see Plate 5-D) is presented as a general guide only, and the qualities listed should be taken with a grain of salt. The reason for this is that there are many variables that must be considered in the application and usage of various wood types. For example, the fact that white oak may be excellent for frame members does not mean that each and every piece of white oak lumber will be suitable for such service. Then too, in some parts of the country, a wood that may be suitable in one area may not be suitable in another for various reasons, such as the quality or quantity available, local practices of seasoning, or any number of other variables. In other words, the recommendations are all relative not only to the locale, but to the services to which the lumber will be applied. Again, the emphasis is made that this listing is general in nature, and the guide to follow is to use those woods that are proven in boat building use in the locale. Also, when selecting a wood from the chart, be sure to look over the adjoining text for that particular species.


PLATE 5-D: Wood Use & Characteristics Chart

Weight Strength Decay & Rot Resistance Fastening Ability Comments
Hardwoods
Apitong Heavy Strong Poor Good Difficult to work
Ash, white Heavy Fairly strong Poor Fair High shock resistance
Elm, rock Heavy Strong Fair Good Good for steam bending
Greenhart Very Heavy Very strong Very good Very good For heavy, durable construction
Iroko Heavy Strong Good Good Can be used in place of teak in many parts
Ironbark (eucalyptus) Very Heavy Very strong Good Good For heavy, durable construction
Mahogany, African Medium Fairly strong Good Good
Mahogany, Honduras Medium Fairly strong Good Good Best of mahoganies
Mahogany, Philippine Medium Fairly strong Fairly good Good Use dark red variety in boats
Oak, white Heavy Strong Good Very good Don't confuse with red oak
Okoume Light Not strong Poor Fair Suitable for light, small boats
Teak Heavy Strong Very good Good Hard on tools, can remain unfinished
Softwoods
Cedar, Alaska Medium Fairly strong Good Good Heartwood & sapwood look similar
Cedar, Port Orford Light Strong Very good Good Preferred boat building cedar
Cedar, Western red Light Not strong Very good Fair Suitable for veneers in cold mold planking and for light, small boats
Douglas-fir Medium Strong Fairly good Good Use only clear, vertical grain
Larch, Eastern Light Fairly strong Fairly good Good Traditionally used for natural knees & stems
Larch, Western Medium Strong Fairly good Good Similar to Douglas-fir
Pine, longleaf yellow Heavy Strong Good Very good Substitute for white oak
Spruce, Sitka Light Fairly strong Poor Fair High strength to weight ratio

Return to Wood-Plywood Index