Thread: Which Timber for Boat Frames

I am ready to start building a replica Chris Craft 19' Barrelback and I'm trying to decide what timber to use for the frames. The frames specify either Sitka Spruce, Mahogany or Douglas fir(American Plans). Frames are to be 25mm thick and up to 250mm wide in some.

I have 12 slabs of Southern Silky oak(seasoned about 15 months). They range from 3.5m to 4.5m long, 300mm to 750mm wide and 45mm thick. This timber didn't cost me anything as it was a tree I had in my back yard and a friend milled it for me.

My other option is to purchase .6 of a cubic metre of Silver Silkwood from a timber yard at about $1300. This timber was recommended by the yard as a quality timber for boat building. I have never heard of it until he showed me.

I could make the frames 40mmm thick if i use the silky oak. This should give better screw holding capacity where needed

What do other people think.