What Makes Good Boatbuilding Lumber?
First, the lumber should be largely “clear,” or free of knots. Wood won’t bend properly if there are knots of any size, although knots smaller than a pencil eraser seldom do any real harm. Secondly, the grain should be as straight as possible. Watch for run-out, or areas where the grain runs off the board, and for twisty grain. These affect the strength and bending properties of the wood. Third, the material should take and hold fasteners strongly. Wood that is too hard to drive a nail in, or too soft to accept a screw without splitting, is to be avoided. Last, avoid warped boards. Warping is caused by changes in the humidity of the wood. Minor warping is usually canceled out when bent into a boat, but severe warpage will make it frustrating to fit a part. What Types Of Wood Are Best? A huge variety of species are acceptable for solid wood parts in stitch-and-glue boats. Let one thing be your guide: the wood must take glue well. Oily woods such as teak or white oak tend to repel epoxy.
