On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:45:30 -0800 (PST), Two meter troll
wrote:


just cause its not used in the east to build boats dont mean it aint
good. folks built ships out of myrtle wood Doug fir is a moderate rot
resistance and PO cedar will last practically forever. it would scale
at mahogany, white oak and well PO cedar. like i said i have the
access to the materials right here and can get custom cut OG if i want
a solid keel 50 feet long i can get one. but frankly why? i am not so
much of a traditionalist as to eschew the use of epoxy and a laminated
keel is far better than a solid chunk of wood, i can build it to have
all the curve and counter stress i need with out having to deal with
grain runout, checking, rot pockets, termites, etc. and if i wish i
can bury a few hundred pounds of lead in it.

Some folks are really crazy over wood. I like it myself for some
things. I put a new rafter in my garage a few years back and the only
2"x6"x25' I could get was Douglas Fir, and it had to be shipped in.
I suppose they're using laminated for the longer runs in new
construction now. From what I've seen, it's stronger than solid wood
and without the downsides you mentioned.
Back in the early '70's I made a full wall (12'x8') book case of
redwood. I went to the lumber yard thinking pine, but the redwood
was much cleaner (perfect really) and cost less than high grade pine!
Wasn't as stiff, but design took care of that.
My last house was full of oak woodwork - real pretty stuff.
But when I pulled some off to refinish it I found it be light as a
feather, it had dried so much in 50 years. Brittle of course, and you
had to real careful to avoid splitting it.
Never looked the same to me knowing that. Didn't even seem like real
wood. More like good-looking cardboard.
Since then I don't pay much attention to wood beyond it doing the job
you set for it. Still like boiled linseed oil though.

--Vic