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Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:57 pm
by VintageMobility
Hello,
My Names Paul.
I am new to the forum but have just purchased the plans for the Townsend 15.5. I am based in Mount Dora, FL and am looking forward to my first boat build. We have a 9 month old baby boy so I am excited to build a family canoe for paddling the springs, and mosquito lagoon. I have read many issued of Small Craft Adviser and Wooden Boat but have not done much wood work to speak of so bear with me for my questions. I have helped a friend rebuild the floor and transom of a fiberglass boat before so the fiberglass part of the project I am sort of familiar with.

Questions 1:
Is there some sort of explanation for the types of woods that can be used? The plans specify thickness but I am kind of in the dark on types of plywoods, and where I should purchase them. Any suggestions for a balance of lightness and budget would be great. Also should I just go to a local Lowes or something similar?

Question 2:
Also in the plans there are 3 options for builds.
1. 1/4 inch thickness hull tape seams only
2. 1/4 for bottom 3/16 side tape seams only
3. 3/16 everything glass the inside and outside.

Once agian what would be the best balance of lightness and cost.

I know the balance of lightness and cost is a little vague. I was hoping to spend about 400 or so in materials for the build.
Thanks
Paul

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:29 pm
by jem
Marine Grade Okoume or Meranti.

Lowes likely will not have this.

Try one of these guys that is near you.

Caryville - Harrison Lumber Co, PO Box 145, 32427, 904/548 5114 - L
Ft Lauderdale - Marine Lumber & Plywood, 2945 State Rd 84, 33312 305/584 8558 -PW, L
Ft Lauderdale - Seafarer Marine, 3100 S.W. 3rd Avenue, 33315, Phone 954-763-4263 www.seafarermarine.com - PW, L
Lake Placid - Pierce Millwork Inc, 19 Richfield Dr, 33852 813/465 2133 - PW, L
Marathon - Buck Woodcraft, Inc., 120 49th Street, 33050, 305-743-4090 buckwoodcraft.com - PW (okoume), L
Miami - Shell Lumber & Hdw Co, 2733 SW 27th Ave, 33133 305/858 9888 - PW, L
Miami - Amazon Lumber & Trading, 5909 NE 3rd Ave, 33137, 305/757 1943 or 800/TEAKOIL - L, V
Miami - Dixie Plywood Co, 3561 NW 54th St, 33142, 305/633 8141 - P, V
Miami - Medley Hardwoods, 7182 NW 77 Terr, 33166, 305/887 1115 - L
Orlando - Dixie Plywood, 407/291 1582 - PW
Pompano Beach - Merritt Marine Supply, 2621 N.E. 4th Avenue, 33064, 954-946-5350 Merritt Supply - L, PW (okume)
Port Canaveral - Adams Custom Boats Inc, 950 Mullet Rd, 32920, 305/784 2013 - L
Riviera Beach - World Panel Prod, 1750,#1 Australian Av, 33404 561/840 0500, 888/836 3379 - PW (Okoume), V
Stuart - Whiticar Boat Wks Inc, 3636 SE Old St Lucie Bl, 33494 305/287 2883 - PW, L
Stuart - Maritime Wood Prod, 3361 S.E. Slater St., 34997 800/274 8325 or 561/287 0463 PW, L
Tampa - Dixie Plywood, 813/248 4107 - PW
Tampa - Craftsmen Supply Center, 5011 E. Busch Blvd, 33617, 813/988-4677 - PW, V
Tarpon Sps - Flaherty Marine Inc, 761 Anclote Rd, 33589 813/934 9394 - PW, L
West Palm Beach - Henegan's Wood Shed, 7760 Southern Blvd, 33411, 305/793 1557 - L
West Palm Beach - Blumer & Stanton, 5112 Georgia Avenue, 33405, 561-585-2525, www.blumerandstanton.com - L

Option 2 will be the lightest.

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:47 pm
by VintageMobility
Matt,
Thanks for the quick reply and all the info!
-Paul

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:03 am
by Oldsparkey
Paul.......

Don't worry about building the boat , it is a easy process and the biggest decision a person normally makes is in deciding which boat to make and then taking the step to make it.
It is nothing more then a bunch of flat wood pieces put together to form the boat for your enjoyment.

Study the plans and understand each step and about two to three steps ahead so you can understand why you are doing the one you are working on and where it will lead you. One thing that really helps is when you do the measuring and before the cutting to recheck your measurements and then cut , the old saying of measure three times and cut one time.

If you make a bad measurement don't feel bad , I have built a lot of boats and the one before last I measured and cut wrong so it was off to the store for another sheet of wood and that one was done right. Small or slight mistakes are normally made but easily corrected , after all this is not rocket science but a lot of fun and in the end you will have a really nice boat for you and your family's enjoyment.

The biggest mistake most folks make is to get in a hurry when it starts to come together and not thinking about where it will lead them , take your time and enjoy the building process. The boat will come together and you will be paddling it.
The folks that know me tell me that my enjoyment is in making the boat's but contrary to there thinking I do like paddling and camping with them. ( the boats and even those guys ) :D

Chuck.

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:41 am
by MoSportsman
Mat,
That is quite an extensive list of plywood suppliers. Got one for Missouri? I have called around a bit but have not found any.

Tom

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:25 pm
by jem
Ava - Steven Stakes (Brad Phillips), 417/683 5837 - L (white oak)
Kansas City - Paxton Woodcrafters' Store, 6311 St. John Ave., 64123-1926. 800-333-7298 or 816-483-7000 - L
Kansas City - Schutte Lumber Company, 3001 Southwest Blvd., 64108-3616. 800-456-2148 or 816-753-6262 - L, MarPW
St. Louis - Beyers Lumber and Hardware, 8684 Olive Blvd., 63132. 314-993-2445 - ½" and ¾" A/B marine plywood - PW

Not quite as extensive.

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:56 pm
by woodman
You can mark off Schutte Lumber Company (I called them a few weeks ago) they won't handle any thing under 1/2'' ,And Paxton the stuff they had for marine ply. a few yrs. ago was junk...So KC is dead as far as 1/4'' marine ply... Now back in the 60's was a different story...

But here is one Cedar Tree Inc.
421 NW 52nd Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50313
http://cedartreeinc.com/New_Cedartree_Site/index.html

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:54 pm
by VintageMobility
Chuck,
Thanks for the advice and I am going to try and take it slow and plan ahead.
Yeah I figure one step at a time and make sure I do each of them as well as I can, and pretty soon I will have a canoe or hopefully that is the plan.
Thanks
Paul

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:15 pm
by tx river rat
Another option is the strip stitch and glue , whole lot cheaper and I think better .
Ron

Re: Hello. Wood Source? Build Options?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:40 pm
by Manjimike
What size strips do you use Ron?
I intend doing the Sabalo 12 as SS&G
Cheers
Mike