What kind of wood should I use?

[Liv HaynesParticipant @livhaynes51579]

I recently ordered my first set of plans, the Caito Bros., which I’m pretty pumped about getting my fleet of boats started. I hope to make it into an R/C model and take it out on the lake or in the harbor this up coming summer. But when it comes to actual building, I am baffled about what kind of wood I should use. Thanks to 3 generations of commercial fishermen with beautiful wood boats, I have many species of wood to chose from. For the planking I have straight grain: Douglas fir, Yellow Cedar, White Cedar, Western Larch, and Bald Cypress. For frames, keel and rub rails I have Honduras Mahogany, Sugar Maple, Ipe, White Oak, Purple Heart, Teak, and Iron Bark.

All that being said, I imagine the kind of wood you use to plank your boat doesn’t matter an awful lot since it will have a coat of epoxy over it anyways. But maybe, maybe not? I don’t know. Same with the frames and keel since no one is gonna see them anyways, but maybe what you use does make some sort of difference. So any advice, opinions, suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated, because I have too many options to make this an easy decision.

Thank you!
Captain Livly

[Liv HaynesParticipant @livhaynes51579]

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

i think that if you have access to all those beautiful timbers, then use them. there is nothing finer than using the raw materials that are meant to be used, and if you have the skills to work them proficienly, you should.

go for it.

neil.

 

 

 

http://www.justgiving.com/lochnessscalesail

 

[Liv HaynesParticipant @livhaynes51579]

Thank you Neil, I plan on utilizing all I can, maximize my experience in this first model so that I can hopefully make my own after some practice

[nathan barrowParticipant @nathanbarrow90374]

i always use balsa wood for my ships. its strong, and good for hulls

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