What are the dates on these plans? If they are after 1940 (or so) they
are (most likely) for "nominal sized" lumber... i.e. a 2x4 is 1.5-1.625
x 3.5-3.625.

As others have stated, good wood just doesn't exist (or isn't allowed to
be cut) anymore. Something to do with depletion of natural resources.
If you take your time, you can find good boards. I've had to go through
10 bundles of 1x6 (about 100 boards) to find 6 good boards but they are
there.

Ed

Russ B wrote:
I've been perusing some old boat plans, and have a question regarding the
sizes of boards. "Back in the day" when some of these plans were written,
lumber was actually the size it was sold to be. Now, a 1x4 may be as little
as 3 1/4 in. wide (as measured at local Lowe's home improvement center).
How does one compensate for this when building from old plans?

I was also apalled by the prices for REALLY knotty boards labelled as "top
choice". By the way, what is "white wood" anway??? Is good lumber really
that scarce? About 20 years ago I worked in home construction during the
summers, and even the cheapest boards we used as bracing were longer,
straighter, and a whole lot clearer than the junk I saw at Lowe's.

Russ B