Glen-L.com

Looking back through the archives I didn't see an answer to this specific question. Thanks in advance.

I'm building the Waterlodge, a 20' x 8' barge houseboat. This weekend I build the longitudinal stringers.... if I can find the materials. I've ordered Poxy-shield from Glen-L to glue the joints, but I'm having a problem finding the right wood.

Several folks in the forums have used Douglas-Fir, which is easily the most common wood around here and what I am most familiar building with. However, it is always green wood. How seasoned does it have to be to use with the epoxy glue?

At the box stores, I can find kiln-dried wood, but it is whitewood, commonly Sitka Spruce. More expensive and less rot resistant.

What do people here think? The green Doug-Fir or the pricey Spruce? Or is some of the more seasoned (but not kiln dried) Doug-Fir okay?

Wes
http://littleshantyboat.blogspot.com

the would do it don't have to be kiln dried. air dried is fine as lone has it has time to properly cure. some kiln dried material is over dried so the the wood loses straight and get brittle. I am using some air dried wood in my build but I let it dry for 10 years. Some where there is a guild on moisture content that wood should be at for building I will see if I can find the link for you.

_________________
Don't be afraid to attempt anything. You might surprise your self in the attempt.
http://www.facebook.com/Home.Made.Boat.Building
Modified Jubilee-"Wild Flower" 40' house boat
14' Mr John-Wild Flower 2
32' Supper Huck- Wild flower 3

Rod H

I am no expert, but the little I do know would suggest thst using green wood risks serious warping, particularly in something like a stringer that you want to be straight. I'd look harder for some dried or "aged" DF. Not sure about the gluing aspect.

_________________
By the time I have built a boat, I'll be ready to build a boat....

wood that has not had any curing isn't stable it will warp and crack as it dries out you can glue green wood but using it isn't advised at all

_________________
Don't be afraid to attempt anything. You might surprise your self in the attempt.
http://www.facebook.com/Home.Made.Boat.Building
Modified Jubilee-"Wild Flower" 40' house boat
14' Mr John-Wild Flower 2
32' Supper Huck- Wild flower 3

Rod H

Wes,

Do not use green wood! You probably won't find the wood you need at big box lumber store. We have some suppliers listed online by state:
http://www.glen-l.com/resources/lumber-suppliers.html

I hope that helps!

_________________
Gayle Brantuk
Vice President
Glen-L Marine
Visit our Blog & Create Your Own!

If you have a thickness planer, most home centers will have dimensional lumber with a D-FIR gradestamp. Sometimes you have to poke around a bit. Typically in the 2x8 and up sizes. Reference: http://www.greatnorthernlumber.com/lumber_grade.html for an idea what to look for.

Some decent materials to be found if you don't mind digging through all the waterski-looking junk they have.

_________________
Some plan to stroll through Saint Peter's Gates, I plan to go through them at 150mph... backwards... in a screaming ball of flame, with a glimmer belt wrapped around my head, and a NOx button in my hand.