At first, it might seem that wood boats hold a disadvantage when compared to
modern fiberglass boats. In fact, fiberglass boats are known for being less
expensive and easier to maintain than wood boats, however these advantages are
meaningless to those who favor the beauty, durability, and luxuriousness of a
well kept wooden boat. There is no real debate; wood boats continue to be
preferred simply by those who love the charm, grace, and beauty of a finely
tuned and well cared for wood boat.
Many boating enthusiasts love to build wood boats, and there are more than
enough building plans available for the builder to choose from. Just as there
are many designs available for choosing, there is also the choice of wood that
will be used. Some of the most popular wood choices used for boat building
include: Ash, Birch, Butternut, Cedar (Red, Oregon, White, Spanish, and Alaska),
Cypress, Elm, Douglas Fir, Hackmatack, Hickory, Locust, Mahogany, Maple, White
Oak, White Pine, Oregon Pine, Yellow Pine, Spruce, and Teak. The choice of wood
used in building is often dependent upon the type of boat and its intended speed
capabilities. Boats that are built for high speeds will need to be crafted from
a lightweight wood. The increase of weight on the wood once it is wet will also
play a factor and must be taken into consideration as well.
When building wood boats another important factor to realize is that each
component of the boat is often constructed in a different type of wood. Here,
weight will also play a direct factor and must be used to determine the overall
layout and building construction of the boat. When ordering wood, choose the
correct amounts to ensure that you will receive the correct size. Always check
with the wood supplier if you are ordering the net size and give yourself at
least ½ and inch to allow for discrepancies in sizing. Whether refinishing or
building from scratch, wood boats are revered for their enduring qualities.
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