Wood Types and Uses

WHICH WOOD IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

One of the more difficult questions we get is "what types of wood.....?" People want to know what they can use for gunwales, planking, decks and so forth and it is easy for us to give an answer if you happen to live where we live. When it comes to wood types and the approrpicate uses, it in fact is not a small world. Shipping a canoe kit from the east coast of the US to Austrailia almost costs as much as a typical canoe kit does doubling the cost of the kit. The the next logical question is, "well what kind of wood in my area can I use". We get pictures from all over the world from people who have built boats out of wood we have never heard of. This is not an exhaustive listing, however it is a great start to avialable wood types and their uses and characteristics. If you have a wood species you would like to add and have experience with please feel free to contact us for inclusion into this listing. Remember that you will be helping people in your area.

Ash

White ash is similar to oak in strength, hardness and shock resistance. It is failrly easy to work wth sharp tools, sands well and bends well under steam. Though it is rot resistant, It is not suitable for planking. It is primarily used in smaller round bottom hulls for frames, oars, boat hook, breasthooks, handles and poles. The weight per foot cubed is 42 lbs.

Cedar

There are a number of different kinds of cedars native to different areas primarily in the US. These woods are more or less similar in mechanical characteristics. They are light weight and easily worked, however they are somehat subject o fracturing. Most are available in long lengths with straight grain free from knots. These woods should be predrilled prior to using screws or nail to avoid splitting.

Alaskan Yellow cedar - is one of the strongest and hardest of the cedars. Due to its coloring it is also known as yellow cedar and is available in long lengths and weighs in at 32 lbs per cubic foot.
Port Oford Cedar - is light brown in color with little variations with a course texture. It is easily worded and comes in very long lengths. It is light weight and favored as planking material, but is also used widely for interor finishing. it weighs in at 29 lbs/ foot cubed.

Western Red Cedar - is the softest of the cedars, has the least tensile strength and as a results, bends very well. Not typically used for planking except for small strip built craft because of its tensile strength, however when encapsulated in epoxy and fiberglass makes a fine small craft. Readily available because of its widespread use in outdoor furniture and decking. it weights in at 30 lbs / foot cubed.

White Cedar - There are two varieties of white cedar. The Northern type is native to the Great Lakes region and southern Canada, The Southern type grows in the coastal regions of the southeastern seaboard. Both varieties are very similar in that they are fine, close-grained woods with an aromatic odor are easily worked and are fairly resistant to dry rot. It is the favored planking for small boats and skiffs.

Unlike the Western cedars. it is rarely obtainable free of knots. These are usually small. and if light do not adversely affect tensile strength. Cedar swells easily and quickly when wet, which is one of its advantages as planking. It is also popular for fine interior joinery work. Average weight per cubic foot is about 23 pounds.

Cherry

This timber is sometimes called b lack cherry due to its color. and was much favored in the earlier days of boatbuilding. It is less commonly available today and is expensive. It takes finish well, has a close grain and , a dark red color. If well seasoned, it rarely warps or checks. It was formerly much used as naturally grown crooks for breasthooks and hanging knees. It is too stiff and hard for steam bending. Weight per cubic foot is about 34 pounds.

Cypress

This timber is common in the southern United States and along the Gulf coast. It is highly favored for planking as it has a natural resin which resists dry rot. It is fairly light and moderately Strong. and available in wide and long timbers. Its one disadvantage is that it soaks up an inordinately large amount of water when immersed and becomes heavy. It is therefore used mostly in heavy or commercial craft where land transport is not contemplated. Weight per cubic foot is 32 pounds.

Elm

This is rock elm and not American or slippery elm which is not suitable for marine use as it is a very soft wood low in tensile strength. Rod elm is a very strong, hard wood with great shock resistance and is readily bent into hard curvatures when steamed. It is popular for framing round bottom skiffs and canvas covered canoes. It is most popular in England for planking. Its native habitat is the Northern central regions of the United States, and it is unfortunately becoming quite scarce. Weight/ cubic foot is about 36 pounds.

Fir

Commonly known as Douglas fir. this is a strong. hard, and somewhat heavy wood with rather coarse grain. It absorbs water readily. as in the case of cypress, and takes up much weight ill the process. Its main disadvantage is its low resistance to dry rot. and it was formerly used mostly as interior framing, sheer shelves, bilge stringers. and derrick masts. In recent years it has come into widespread use as planking. particularly in commercial vessels when specially treated with wood preservatives. It is nowadays produced in tree farms by forest products concerns. and is readily available. Vast quantities of fir are made into various grades of plywood. Weight per cubic foot is about 28 pounds.

Hackmatack

Also known as larch or tamarack. it is a very heavy and densely grained wood and is usually found as natural crooks and grown knees for framing purposes. It is becoming scarce and is usually found , if obtainable. from marine timber specialists. Average weigh t per cubic foot is 36 pounds.

Honey Locust

This is a very heavy hard wood with a close dense grain that resists splitting and abraiding and is very impervious to dry rot. It is the classic: material for mooring bitts, cleats, wedges, strongbacks, trunnels. tillers, and steering wheels. hatch coamings and any other area where a hardwearing wood , is required. It is difficult to work and requires very sharp tools to finish. Weight per cubic foot is 43 pounds.

Oaks ( red and white)

White oak is the timber of choice for ship and boatbuilding. It is principally used in framing and main longitudinal timbering for its density, hardness, great strength ability to hold fastenings and lack of shrinking and swelling when wet. When green, it is highly suitable for steam bending in smaller diameters. but this must be selected as such as it is not suitable for this use when dry or seasoned. In any case, it is very resistant to dry rot.

Red oak has similar qualities, but is somewhat softer and is more susceptible to water soakage, making it a second choice for marine use. Red oak must be paint finished if used for exposed areas above decks for hard wearing areas, as it turns black when exposed to air and will not take a varnish finish. Weight for both types is about 48 pounds per cubic foot.

Pine, White

There are several varieties of white pine used in boatbuilding. One is the Northern white pine which is native to the eastern United States. The other is the Western or Sugar pine of the west coast. There is another western variety called Ponderosa pine which is less favored. These woods share the common qualities of uniform texture, ease of working. light weight. good retention of paint. and fair resistance to dry rot. It is a favorite material for interior joinery and trim. It is sometimes used for planking but absorbs much water to gain weight as does cypress, The weight is about 26 pounds per cubic foot.

Pine, Southern or Yellow

Longleaf yellow pine is a favorite wood for planking as it is dense, hard, and strong and is readily obtainable at moderate cost in long, clear lengths. It is best when specially cut for marine work as quarter or edge sawn. It's one disadvantage is that it contains a heavy resin which will bleed through paint finish in hot weather. although this quality aids in making it resistant to dry rot . It is mostly used in commercial vessels. In yachts where a fine finish is desired, it has its place in interior framing, as it is very Strong and holds fastenings well. It weighs about 38 pounds per cubic foot.

Pine, Oregon

This term is sometimes applied to Douglas fir, which is not a pine, but it is mentioned to clarify its name.

Redwood

This wood is noted for its resistance to dry rot, and is often used for interior joinery for its beautiful color when oiled or varnished, While sometimes used to plank small skills, its value is limited as its tensile strength is poor and it is easily shattered by impact. ][s weight is about 28 pounds per cubic fool.

Spruce, Sitka

This wood is light in weight and is moderately hard and tough with smooth fibers. It is very strong for its weight, and has long been used. for masts and spars. In the earlier days of aero plane manufacture, it was the material chosen for fuselage and wing spars. It is usually available in very long lengths. It is not highly rot resistant and must be kept sealed with paint, varnishes, or wood preservatives. It is now quite expensive. It weighs about 27 pounds per cubic foot.

Spruce, Eastern

This wood is native to the maritime provinces of Canada and the New England area of the United States. Its weight and general properties are similar to the Sitka variety, except that it shows many knots and clear stock is unobtainable. It is often used for planking and decking, although it must be carefully maintained to avoid dry rot.

Walnut

This is a heavy dense hardwood and is mentioned because it was once favored for interior finishing of fine yachts. It does not markedly shrink or swell with moisture. Its weight is 39 pounds per cubic fool.

African Mahogany

This timber is obtained from the Gold Coast and Nigerian areas of Africa. The mature trees are almost uniformly of immense size and may be up to seven or eight feet in diameter. It is a rather soft, light wood with large pores but has a spectacular graining with many variations as to burling and pattern. It is largely used as facing on fir plywood panels. Its average weight is about 33 pounds per cubic foot.

Honduras Mahogany

This term is used to describe most of the mahogany-like timber in southern Mexico and Central America. It is heavier and stronger than the African variety and has a more dense structure. It is usually straight grained, holds fastenings well, and takes a very handsome finish. It weighs about 36 pounds per cubic foot.

Peruvian Mahogany

This timber is native to the region of the upper Amazon, in parts of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Its great expense is due to transporting it from its secluded location. It is somewhat heavier and darker than the Honduras type, is straight-grained and resists splitting. It is perhaps the finest of all the boatbuilding woods, and has been utilized mostly in the better-finished yachts, as it is very durable and takes a very fine finish. It weighs about 39 pounds per cubic foot.

Philippine Mahogany

This is not a true mahogany, but is listed here due to its popular name. It is in reality a mahogany-like native timber of the Philippine Islands, and includes several related species. It is lighter in weight than genuine mahogany, holds fastenings well, and resists splitting. It swells but little on immersion and is easily worked. Due to its porous grain it does not take varnish well, and is usually paint finished. Large quantities of this timber have been exported to the United States and other countries for use in stock boats built in series production. It weighs about 38 pounds per cubic foot.

Teak

A native tree of the East Indies and Burma, teak is the most noble of all boatbuilding woods. Due to a natural resin within its fibers. it resists dry rot and water soakage, and even when left unfinished it appears to last indefinitely. Boats built of this wood have been known to last for centuries. It is characteristically a very heavy and hard wood with dense fibers. It is naturally a light gray or tan which bleaches out to almost a white color on exposure to the sun and salt water. It has long been a favorite for finely finished yacht decking, if used in no other place. Due to its very high cost, it is generally used today as trim material for rail caps, hatches. coamings, pin rails, and other areas subject to hard wear. On the debit side, it is very difficult to work as the resin content quickly takes the edge off the sharpest tools. Due to its high cost, it is seldom employed uhless the builder has a high degree of skill in boat carpentry and joinery. It weighs about 48 lbs / foot cubed.