Posted by Jim Acheson on March 12, 1999 at 19:56:07:
In Reply to: Re: dorys posted by Rick Adams on March 11, 1999 at 10:34:29:
Hello Rick! The type of material you decide to use will depend upon the type and amount of use the boat is intended for. My Hunky Dory will be a trailered sportfishing boat. It will not be sitting in the water for 3-5 months per year. And I am in the habit of washing down my boats with fresh water after each use. The boat will be double layered with fiberglass on the exterior, and the interior will have a coat of GOOD primer (meaning oil-based), then covered with zolotone paint. Under those conditions, my choice is for Douglas Fir ABX plywood for sheeting and 2X4 'clear select' douglas fir for the framing. Be sure to pick out very close grained, clear fir. You may have to go to several stores to get all your material, because you certainly won't find that kind of wood on a stud pallet.
I built a very similar boat in 1971 for commercial salmon fishing out of Eureka. That dory served me well for six years, and it sat in the salt water from April thru September each year. If I were going to build another boat for commercial use, I may opt for mahogony and marine plywood. But for my sportfishing Hunky Dory, the cost would be prohibitive. I priced Philippene Mahogony and the cost for 4/4 (4 quarter) mahogony per rib assembly was about $22.00 each! When you start adding the costs of the chine logs, sheers, and other framing, costs go up quick!
Yes, white oak and mahogony are optimal but fir may be an acceptable substitute.