Squirt Build in Australia

[Cam052]

Hi there,
I am building the squirt for a school major works in Sydney Australia. I am a new to the boatbuilding game, which means i will be asking lots of questions.
The plans have just arrived and i am keen to get started. I was just wandering what timbers the Australian members are using in regards to building the boat. I know that some use Hoop pine for the frames etc would this be a good alternative or is there something better recommended ?
Thanks in advance

[bjfrater]

Im in NZ not Australia and I am using Fijian Kauri for my frames. Its light and has straight grain and is stable and often used for boat building.
Im sure you could find it there also.
If you find a specialty timber yard that serves more than just the building industry they are often the best place to ask especially if they have dealt with boat builders before.

Good luck with your build
Brendon

[Barra]

I've used Hoop Pine for most of my framing and can recommend it. I have also used some Meranti when I couldn't get hold of Hoop Pine, mainly in framing the deck. I've also used Tas Oak (Vic Ash or whatever else it gets called) for the dash, side consoles and longitudinal planks on the deck. My perimeter boards are Fijian Mahogany (not actually a Mahogany, just a trade name).

I got my Hoop Pine & Fijian Mahogany from a specialist timber supplier (Austim) but the Tas Oak and Meranti mainly just from Bunnings. The Tas Oak was convenient as it came in 65mm x 12mm from which was perfect for the deck, so no additional machining required.

This was all for a Zip.

Good luck and have fun with the build!

Cheers

[hzchevy]

I also used a lot of Tas Oak but it can become quite costly. Sourcing suppliers for timber, fittings, controls etc was the major factor in my boat taking so long to build.
Good luck

[Lowka53]

not much on my supplier list i have for you guys down under but here is what I have
* Mulgrave - Marine Timbers, 71-73 Roberts Ave, 3170 - L, PW

* Banyo, north Brisbane http://www.lazaridestimber.com.au/

* BoatCraft Pacific (22 Babdoyle St. Loganholme www.boatcraft.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/notes/home-mad ... 4574139228

[Cam052]

ok thanks for the replies, i will most likely be using hoop pine for the frames and making sure they are well sealed.

[Cam052]

Ok so i have built the building form and am currently building the frames, on the plans it for the thickness of the frames it said 1inch dressed to 3/4 of an inch. In metric that is 25mm to 19mm thick. Would it be ok to run 22mm dressed timber or around 7/8 of an inch ?

[Ozzieboat]

Cam052
In Australia we didn't really go to the SI system we just converted our existing imperial sizes to SI units. Milk at 600ml is still a pint, can of drink at 375ml is still 12 fluid ozs. Fortunately for timber we didn't change that either. Most of the "off the rack timber sizes" are still the same imperial size. This make life easy as they are the same sizes as called up in the typical Glen-L "Bill of Materials". Keep in mind the thickness is listed as 1'' means 19mm dressed, but the width listed is the finished size. If you have any doubt of the timber size required just measure the timber section on the drawing and multiply by 12. Of all the timber (hoop pine by the way) I purchased for my Monaco it was only the size specified for the keel that there was no "off the rack" equivalent. I just went to the next width and used it at that width, to my advantage as it turned out. All that said why don't you just purchase standard "off the rack" timber sizes. Then your craft will be to plans. I don't know how easy it is to buy Hoop Pine in Sydney, but you could ask Tim Major for details. Sandgate Saw Mills is by far the best for price and quality in Brisbane.
ozzieboat

[Cam052]

ok thank you for the reply, the hoop pine i am purchasing is 26mm undressed, so i will get it dressed down to 19mm/3/4 inch thick as the plans specify?
Thanks

[Mojo]

I used hoop pine, but was talking to a pro boat builder mate the other day. I says he just uses meranti from bunnings for his own boat. Cheap (relatively) and easy to get.

Cheers
Mojo

[Barra]

The hoop pine I used would have been a similar thickness. I dressed it myself but didn't bother going all the way to 19mm, seemed like a waste of timber. Means my frames are a little heavier than required but there isn't that much weight in there anyway so didn't think it was too much of a penalty. Main thing is to ensure they are the same thickness so you can join the different pieces of each frame together.

[Ozzieboat]

Buying hoop pine in South-East Queensland is as easy and as cheap as buying oranges in California. All the hoop used in the frame of the Monaco came to just under AU$1000, six years ago.
ozzieboat

[Barra]

I was lucky over here in WA, managed to get enough for the Zip. The place I got it from no longer stocks it and haven't found anyone else on this side of the country....

[chubs]

I'm in sydney too, near rouse hill. I buy my boat timber from these guys in windsor: http://www.trendtimbers.com.au/
Whereabouts are you?