I have a large black walnut tree I am getting ready to have removed
from my yard. I already have a solar kiln I use for drying wood for my
boat projects and I have been considering lumbering it for use in boat
building, the wood itself seems like it would be great for boat
building. But after googling for black walnut and boat building, I
found a excerpt from "Folklore and the Sea" by Horace Beck, which
describes black walnut as being horribly bad luck to have on or in a
boat.

On the other hand I also found an article which states the Red Jacket
(a very successful and well found clipper ship) had her aft cabin
finished in Black Walnut.

Can anyone provide some feedback on black walnut's suitibility as a
boat building wood.

and please no flames for my superstitiousness, I don't normally
consider myself a supertitious person, but I have spent enough time at
sea on traditionally rigged sailing ships, and an especially memorable
cruise under a very old and experienced maine schooner captain, that I
have learned to take these things seriously where boats are concerned.

Thanks

Never heard about black walnut being bad luck but even if you don't use it
on a boat be sure to saw and dry it carefully. I dried about 500 bd ft for
a friend last spring and kept a few pieces for my fee. The slow growing
natural trees have a much prettier grain than the cultivated wood you find
on the market.

Just about everything but the leaves and twigs was used from that tree. I am
not a turner so was only interested in the bole wood but the local turners
and carvers lined up for the limbs and crotches.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"sailorfej" wrote in message
ps.com...
I have a large black walnut tree I am getting ready to have removed
from my yard. I already have a solar kiln I use for drying wood for my
boat projects and I have been considering lumbering it for use in boat
building, the wood itself seems like it would be great for boat
building. But after googling for black walnut and boat building, I
found a excerpt from "Folklore and the Sea" by Horace Beck, which
describes black walnut as being horribly bad luck to have on or in a
boat.

On the other hand I also found an article which states the Red Jacket
(a very successful and well found clipper ship) had her aft cabin
finished in Black Walnut.

Can anyone provide some feedback on black walnut's suitibility as a
boat building wood.

and please no flames for my superstitiousness, I don't normally
consider myself a supertitious person, but I have spent enough time at
sea on traditionally rigged sailing ships, and an especially memorable
cruise under a very old and experienced maine schooner captain, that I
have learned to take these things seriously where boats are concerned.

Thanks

sailorfej wrote:

Can anyone provide some feedback on black walnut's suitibility as a
boat building wood.

and please no flames for my superstitiousness, I don't normally
consider myself a supertitious person,
Thanks

And dont forget to find thoes plastic honey containers that are in the
shape of a bear, cut off their heads and throw them over board ASAP!
Bob

Bob wrote:

And dont forget to find thoes plastic honey containers that are in the
shape of a bear, cut off their heads and throw them over board ASAP!
Bob

I am perhaps one of the "luckiest" people in the world. Everything
always goes well for me. BUT I dont believe in luck, its hard work
that counts. When I was racing, my car number was "8", a number that
looks the same either side up..supposedly very bad luck for a race car.
I have re-named every boat I ever owned...supposedly very bad luck. I
always carry bannanas on my boat in the refer..more bad luck. I always
deliberately challange superstition and yet here I stand still being
very fortunate after 70 years of thumbing my nose at superstition. I
think I will get some Black Walnut for my next interior project.

"jim.isbell" wrote in message
ups.com...

Bob wrote:

And dont forget to find thoes plastic honey containers that are in the
shape of a bear, cut off their heads and throw them over board ASAP!
Bob

I am perhaps one of the "luckiest" people in the world. Everything
always goes well for me. BUT I dont believe in luck, its hard work
that counts. When I was racing, my car number was "8", a number that
looks the same either side up..supposedly very bad luck for a race car.
I have re-named every boat I ever owned...supposedly very bad luck. I
always carry bannanas on my boat in the refer..more bad luck. I always
deliberately challange superstition and yet here I stand still being
very fortunate after 70 years of thumbing my nose at superstition. I
think I will get some Black Walnut for my next interior project.

Have you thought about using it for a coffin?

I love Black Walnut. Generally too valuable for structural boat
building but I have heard of it. I've heard varying reports re rot
resistance. Would be excellent for interior finishwork. L.F.
Herreshoff often used Butternut (aka White Walnut) for cabinetry.
Lighter color and weight. Also softer. I intend to make my cabin sole
of Black Walnut and Holly.

sailorfej wrote:
I have a large black walnut tree I am getting ready to have removed
from my yard.

Shanghai wrote:
I love Black Walnut. Generally too valuable for structural boat
building but I have heard of it. I've heard varying reports re rot
resistance. Would be excellent for interior finishwork. L.F.
Herreshoff often used Butternut (aka White Walnut) for cabinetry.
Lighter color and weight. Also softer. I intend to make my cabin sole
of Black Walnut and Holly.

If you find any butternut grab it. A virus is wiping out the butternut.
It will soon be gone the way of the chestnut and elm.
An Internet search on butternut will provide details.

When I was racing, my car number was "8", a number that
looks the same either side up..supposedly very bad luck for a race car.
I have re-named every boat I ever owned...supposedly very bad luck. I

Well the 8 looks OK UPSIDEDOWN TOO!. You have to have the boat outta
the water to rename it, then it's ok. I'm not supersticious either, but
do not tempt the witches. He he I know they get even.

den wrote:
When I was racing, my car number was "8", a number that
looks the same either side up..supposedly very bad luck for a race car.
I have re-named every boat I ever owned...supposedly very bad luck. I

Well the 8 looks OK UPSIDEDOWN TOO!. You have to have the boat outta
the water to rename it, then it's ok. I'm not supersticious either, but
do not tempt the witches. He he I know they get even.

The reason such a number is supposed to be bad luck is that if it looks
ok upsidedown then you may end up that way because the "gods" dont know
which way to put your car back on the track....#8-)