The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction - WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

Buying Wood
Wood species availability, quality, and cost vary widely. As mentioned in the preface to Chapter 3, several
factors (increased population, shifting use patterns, global markups) have influenced change in the wood
supply chain since this book was first published.
Species considered traditional boatbuilding woods (mahogany, teak, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, etc.) have
become more expensive as supplies have dwindled or suppliers have reconsidered the value of their local
resource. Many countries actively support value-added production rather than exporting wood as a raw
material to foreign markets. Companies marketing to boatbuilders and other high-end wood product
consumers engage in a variety of strategies to meet the need, including wood salvage, recycling, and
sustainable forestry practices both in natural forests and on plantations.
Some wooden boatbuilders have become more adventuresome, considering alternative non-traditional
wood species to use in projects. At one time, all boatbuilding was done with local species. Wood/epoxy
construction allows one to reconsider local species that may have fallen out of favor during the heyday
of traditional boatbuilding.
<strong>The</strong> Internet has made it easier to shop for wood and is always a good place to start. On the other hand,
you may be surprised by what your local lumber merchant carries or can get. Make sure you check all
sources.
<strong>The</strong> general information presented here is useful whether you plan to build a traditionally planked boat, a
laminated hull, a strip composite canoe, or a hard chine or compounded plywood vessel. <strong>The</strong> section on
Choosing Wood for Laminating a Hull reviews general considerations in selecting veneer or plywood where
compounding is an issue. In later chapters, we discuss more specifics of the wood needed for various
methods of hull and interior construction.
Boatbuilders use a very small percentage of the lumber
sold in the United States, so few local dealers sell very
much of the quality and type needed for boat construction.
It may be difficult to find materials for your
project, but keep a few things in mind as you shop.
Lumber, plywood, and veneer are by far the cheapest
materials in a boat. Buy the highest quality wood available.
When the waste that results from knots and grain
run out in lower quality boards is factored in, the best
becomes a bargain. You will put an enormous amount
of time into a boat, and it makes sense to guarantee
the longevity of your investment by using top grade
materials.
Also remember that the moisture content of the wood
at the time you use it may determine the success or
failure of a project. As we noted in Chapter 3, wood is
strong, stiff, and dimensionally stable when its moisture
levels are relatively low. Careful selection and storage,
CHAPTER
9
with a keen eye to maintaining moisture level equilibrium
in the range between 8% and 12%, will minimize
the chances of moisture-related problems and maximize
the effectiveness of WEST SYSTEM ® Brand epoxy.
Ordering Lumber
Be prepared for some difficulty in buying boat lumber.
Your local dealer may sell clear Douglas fir, Honduras
mahogany, and cedar, but his doing so reflects
commercial demand in other fields—the construction,
pattern making, and mill work industries respectively—
rather than an attempt to meet a demand for boat
construction materials. <strong>The</strong> rare dealer will stock Sitka
spruce and cedar. We always hope that the resurgence
of wooden boatbuilding will increase availability and
permit better distribution of quality boat lumber.
If you can’t find wood locally, you may have to order
it from a mail order specialty house. Freight rates on