Posted by ken on July 21, 19103 at 11:42:32:
In Reply to: Squirt (types of Wood used) posted by George on July 21, 19103 at 08:48:48:
: Hello everyone,
: I'm new to building boats, and for a first project I picked the Squirt. I was wondering what types of wood have been used (other than SP and Mohog) I've already gotten a good AB 3/4" 4X8 sheet of ply and the 1/4" ply shouldn't be hard to find. Any ideas for wood replacement? I'm tring to keep the cost down but build a good, strong and nice looking boat.
I do not recommend a common plywood for any part of a boat. There is not much quality control of the inner plies of common AB exterior ply. I have ripped a piece of 3/4" ply and found voids as long as 18" in the inside. Mahogany is the first choice for lumber, I guess Fir would be second. Glen_L has a good book on building.
The part of the country you are located does somewhat determine the type of lumber you may have available. Yellow pine is good if you are in the deep south, the guys on the west coast cant get yellow pine. The east coast cant get doug fir.
Marine grade Fir ply is the cheapest wat to go for the ply. There is such a thing as Mahogany Marine grade ply, but then you are into the expensive stuff.