alternatives to doug fir

Ryan,
I'm finding it hard to believe that you can't find Doug Fir - you're in the Midwest!! Keep looking. Even my HD here has it!! Sitka is way over kill and as you have found out very expensive. The only ones who still use it are people hand making racing sail boats. What else are you finding? Hemlock, spruce and pine?

Lowes no luck. Called the lumber yard closest to me again. They have "clear pine", but only in 1x8. Those might work... thoughts?

They couldn't quote anything. I guess the weekend staff is unable to do this. I'll have to call Monday to talk with the "pros".

Is construction grade suitable? I haven't seen a single knot in my stringers yet.

Thanks much for your help!

Mine plans for hitting it hard this weekend are looking to be shot. I guess I could do some housework, but that's no fun!

I did pick up the secondary lumber today. Very nice clear straight pine. They didn't have clear 2x8s for the mains, but their construction grade makes the stuff at home depot look like firewood. I might just go with it if I don't have any luck.

Speaking of wood... check this out. Ironically, I called Nautical Lumber today. I might have even talked to Mike, although I can't remember his name. They said they could special order some stuff and would call me back on Monday when their vendors opened.

Ryan,
Where in Detroit are you located? Have you tried Public Lumber(313)891-7125? They are on 7 Mile in Detroit and specialize in boat building lumber. Another one to try would be Durst Lumber in Berkley(248)542-2010 ask for Don Jr. If he doesn't have it he'll be able to get it.

Quigs85SN2001 wrote: Ryan, Where in Detroit are you located? Have you tried Public Lumber(313)891-7125? They are on 7 Mile in Detroit and specialize in boat building lumber. Another one to try would be Durst Lumber in Berkley(248)542-2010 ask for Don Jr. If he doesn't have it he'll be able to get it.

Being in Clawson, Durst was my first choice. I tried Public and they didn't have doug fir in the lengths I needed either. They were the ones that suggested sitka, but 11 something per foot hurts the cause.

I ended up at Durst again and bought their clear pine for the secondaries. Very nice stuff. That should keep me busy for a while. If I don't have luck tracking down some 2x8s in doug fir, I'll probably get their construction grade pine. It looked pretty good to me for construction grade.

I'm not sure who I talked with at Durst. I'll try Don Jr. on Monday. I asked most of the places I called or went to if they could special order but I can't remember if I asked Durst now...

Thanks!
Ryan

Ryan,
If you do end up with a construction grade, be very careful of the moisture content. Ask if they have a meter and have them check it. Construction is normally only taken down to 13%. Ideally when it goes in the boat it should be about 8%.

Well, just got a call back from one of the many places I called over the weekend. The best they can to is 2x6, but that won't work.

How important is using douglas fir for the main stringers? I'm not totally giving up, but if I find some nice construction grade 2x8s in pine, will that be ok too? I guess what I'm wondering is what makes doug fir better?

ryanowen wrote: How important is using douglas fir for the main stringers? I'm not totally giving up, but if I find some nice construction grade 2x8s in pine, will that be ok too? I guess what I'm wondering is what makes doug fir better?

Ryan,
The Doug Fir is stronger. When used in construction, there are even different span and spacing tables for it compared to the "white woods". It's also know to be less suspect to warping, bowing and twisting as it dries out.

If you do end up with one of the white woods, Just be carefull of it's moisture content that I've referred to. Get twice the amount you need. Look for the best looking, least knots and straightest boards. Stack it in a warm dry area for several weeks and see what happens when it dries out farther. Use "stickers" (1x2 spacers) between the layers. Get a small fan to move air through the pile.

I wouldn't worry about it not being as strong. You'll be putting some extra glass on the sides that the factory didn't. It should make up for the strength difference.

ryanowen wrote: On a sort of related note, what do you guys think about polypropylene for the floor pieces and seat bases? Some guy near me is selling 4x8 sheets at 3/4 thick for 50 each. Will fiberglass stick to this stuff

No on the poly. It's what glue containers are made of because nothing will stick to it!!