Thread: New member - Wangaratta

I'm sure you'll get better answers from an old hand or two, but KD hardwood has lots of uses in boat building, from stringers to beams to rubbing strips. Lots of boats have oak specified and in many cases this can be a good substitute. Don't know the design, but sawn frames might be specified as a softwood in which case Queensland plantation Hoop pine is beautiful, or some places can still get good oregon (Douglas Fir). 'Course Taswegians will boast about several of their woods including Huon, but that will be difficult to get withoput special ordering. KD from hardware stores can vary hugely- furniture makers like curly attractive figure but lighter coloured straight grained stuff is easier for bending and planing...KD can come from a lot of different species, so use your eyes to select for grain.

hope that is helpful

Thanks Rob. Appreciate your advice. I'm 90% sure I'll be using it. Marty.

At the same time a lot of modern glued construction boats stay almost entirely with softwoods. Largely because they generally glue better, are lighter, easier to shape and most of the loads are carried through the skin of the boat so the framing is there to hold the skin together.

With traditional boats fastenings become important and hardwoods hold fastenings much better.

In Australia we certainly are spoilt for choice in hardwood - amazing colours etc.

But generally a timber of similar density to what the designer specifies for the job is a good choice

Best wishes
Michael Storer