Posts: 2,682
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2000
Location: Portsmouth, VA
Hi All.
I'm looking for suggestions as to which wood to use for the wood slats that are used to support a boat cover over winter. They will need to fit a mount on either side of the boat. The wood needs to by very straight grained and "springy". Any suggestions? Thanks.
![[Image: 941.jpg]](http://www.firstchoicemarine.com/images/product/large/941.jpg)
Riven white ash works well for that sort of thing.
Posts: 29,152
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2002
how long?
how thick?
how much crown?
Let us not seek the Republican Answer , or the Democratic answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future John F. Kennedy
Posts: 2,682
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2000
Location: Portsmouth, VA
Less than 2" wide, about 1/4 to 3/8" thick, probably 8' or longer. Needs to bow up about a foot or more to be effective.
Posts: 29,152
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2002
rift sawn ( I think this would be better for straight grain) white oak if exposed to weather red oak will work under cover. Ash and Poplar would work too although I would put some sort of pigmented finish on it
I would encourage 1/4" thick for flexibility and angle the ends to fit the pockets you have
Let us not seek the Republican Answer , or the Democratic answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future John F. Kennedy
Posts: 5,119
Threads: 12
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SoMar
I would try to find some PVC stock somewhere & maybe rip it down to size if you have to.
Posts: 7,421
Threads: 1
Joined: Sep 2005
Fiberglass pultrusions.
They make pole vault poles from this stuff. Plenty of flex:
http://www.libertypultrusions.com/pultru...uded-rods/
At one time I found a vendor on line with stock sizes and a price list. Look and you will find.
No animals were injured or killed in the production of this post.
Posts: 20,381
Threads: 4
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: CinDay
Ash, Oak, Beech a few others on here but these are usually easily obtainable. I like rift sawn, and slabbed off the edge of the rift. Grain would be well oriented that way. Stock really needs to be very clear, absolutely no knots.
Just to check for length, and final fit I'd head to the BORG and buy a piece of at least 10" wide, whatever they are calling 2x stuff. That width is where you will find the best grain. Use the cheeep stuff to figure it out, then the more expensive stuff to make them with.
Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya
GW
Posts: 1,289
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Would it make sense to laminate the bows? When you glue them up, you could put most of the curve into them leaving only a little flex required to install them. Maybe, by doing this, you wouldn't need to be quite so particular about the quality or grain of the wood. Just asking. Not sure how this would work.
Posts: 1,474
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2011
Ash would be my first choice, oiled or varnished for protection. Willyou has some good advice. I too would steam or laminate them to shape then cut just a little long so they have to flex into place. I've seen too many little wooden boats pushed apart by the force of those bows.
Jim
