Marine Fir

[Ed Harrow]

I've been asked to work with some kids building a 6-hour canoe http://www.psnw.com/~jmrudholm/6hrcanoe.html. I know cheap stock is generally poor economy, but what about marine fir in lieu of BS1088 grade stock. (The guy I linked to used door skin!) Fir tends to check, but marine grade maybe less so...

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you, Ed

[David Sharp]

We used a/c fir all the time to build boats. That was about 25 years ago so I don't know what the quality is like as far as voids are concerned. Just seal the edges and it will last as long as anything else.

[Mac McQuinn]

Ed,
If it's for a charity or good cause, try hitting up a local lumber supplier for a couple sheets of good Marine Okume ply. I ran a wooden boat show a few years back and had no problem getting a couple sheets for a Pirogue we built, raffled off and gave the proceeds to local school district.

Mac

I've been asked to work with some kids building a 6-hour canoe http://www.psnw.com/~jmrudholm/6hrcanoe.html. I know cheap stock is generally poor economy, but what about marine fir in lieu of BS1088 grade stock. (The guy I linked to used door skin!) Fir tends to check, but marine grade maybe less so...

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you, Ed

[Ed Harrow]

Good cause, I'll buy that ($ in my pocket).

I just hate to have them spend a lot of money on 'good' stuff, if they will get adequate service from marine-grade fir. I seem to recollect more than a fair number of ply dinghies that were certainly not fancy, and I can't believe they were made of anything but fir ply.

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

Here's a tip. Buy the lesser grade fir ply and prior to finish coating, paint a layer of diluted Tightbond III on the surface. Shellac over that. Very water proof.
fmr

[Ed Harrow]

Thank you!