Got a Woody ?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Okay, I've been waiting for some 2x10x12's of douglas fir for my boat stringers. This is the only wood that I have put into it since I have been slowly restoring it in stages. The place I ordered it says they lost the order.<br /><br />The boating season is short in these parts and I would like to spend some time on the water before the season is over. So here is my question,, "What other wood could be used for my stringers?" Its got to be 2 by material. Any ideas appreaciated. ........SS

 

[Chief101]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Too bad you are not closer, I have in my barn a couple of vg douglas fir 2x12x20' bench seats from a set of bleachers. Better grade than you could even purchase today. Guess I'll have to use them myself someday. Chief Chief

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Got a Woody ?

The local Lowes has it, but only in 1 byes. Thought of laminating them, but these are my main two load bearing stringers. I don't want to sacrifice strength over being anxious to get the job done. <br /><br />Thats not right Chief,,,teaseing me arn't ya!

 

[JB]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Laminated 1 bys would be at least as strong as a 2 by, SS. That would be a 1-1/2" rather than a 1-3/4" unless you can get it dimensioned or laminate a piece of 1/2 ply between to get a true 2 by. That would be a lot stronger than a 2 by.<br /><br />Good waterproof glue and each covers for the others weakest points.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Laminating is good, that is why in construction you see more and more engineered wood products; they are stronger than stand-alone wood. I highly recomend the ply between as JB suggested, that will give you almost i-beam strength. <br /><br />Now go to Lowe's, get your supplies, and get to laminating!!!! There's boating to be done!<br /><br />Post pictures of your progress or we will send an angry army of ants to invade your next picnic!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Got a Woody ?

laminating is good. 1x's, 1/2' ply, gallon of elmer construction glue. screws. that's all you need. the elmers construction glue is stronger than the wood. after it sets you will pull the wood apart before the glue gives. 35years of construction experience with elmer.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Anytime you're looking for advice about wood and other materials used in boatbuilding go to:<br /><br />www.glenl.com<br /><br />They have decades of experience and you can't possibly read all of the information you're looking for there. <br /><br />You might be expecially interested in the epoxy resins used in wood boatbuilding. You can use these materials to glue up your laminations and to fully encapsulate the wood pieces before you install them. If you follow the correct procedures your stringers will last much longer than any other way you can prepare them.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Why don't you guys use aluminium stringers, the boat builders down here is starting to use them ....

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Thanks for the replies. I was about to go to Lowes and spend 4 times the amount that I would have paid for the 2 byes. Thanks to Terrys suggested site, I found that actually the yellow pine is a bit stronger and rot resistant as douglas fir. It is only a little heavier. The lumber store up the road had it in stock. They let me sort through the stack to find ones that were knot free and lighter in weight.<br /><br />At least now I have them cut out, intalled, bedded down, and 75% glassed in. I gotta go out and get 4 more gallons of resin to finish. I'm glad I didn't go with epoxy. The size of this particular project would have cost a fortune for me to do it. <br /><br />One thing I have learned from this project, big boats require more time, money, and effort. I think this is the last time I will personally do the job myself. <br /><br />Once the hull is all done, then comes the modifications for my water tube storage tanks, new wiring/panel for shorepower, and the intallation of a bigger air conditioner. Then I can put down the deck in the cabin and finish intalling the seats/benches. <br /><br />Now I'm trying to decide to take vaction for a week to do the work, or wait for the vacation when the boat is done to enjoy it.<br /><br />Thanks again for the help, iboats has saved my day again.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Got a Woody ?

you will find that 1 gallon of epoxy resin goes A LOT further than 1 gallon of poly resin. I built my entire 15' boat from a set of plans with a touch over 7 gallons of epoxy:<br /><br />

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Now I'm trying to decide to take vaction for a week to do the work, or wait for the vacation when the boat is done to enjoy it.<br />

I don't think you need to take your vacation yet. You look a little green around the gills, maybe you should take a couple of sick days and "get some rest"

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Got a Woody ?

Johnsham1, My boat being 27' is a very large area requiring lots of material. Epoxy in my area is real hard to come by. With the poly, it is at about every autoparts house or hardware. The boat was good enough to be made with poly, it is good enough to replace with the same. BTW, your boat looks like you did a great job on it.<br /><br />I don't think I will ever do another large boat like this again. The rewards afterwards I know will be worth it.<br /><br />As of last night, I have about 90% of all the stringer hull work done. SHould finish up tonight and start getting the fuel tank back in. If things go right (plus a few sick days) I might have it ready by the end of June.<br /><br />To think, all I was going to do was JUST THE TRANSOM! Thank you long neck man for getting me started on other areas..........SS