Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 12:26:04 -0400
Message-Id: <l0311070bb1dce00230e8@[205.216.99.54]>
In-Reply-To: <3.0.32.19980722130715.006ac530@peseta.ucdavis.edu>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: "Craig O'Donnell" <dadadata@friend.ly.net>
Subject: Re: [baidarka] wood comparisons
>>The classic reference is "The Encyclopedia of Wood", originally
>>published by the US Forest Service. I have a paperback reprint by
>>Sterling Publications; ISBN: 0806969946.
>>
>>If it's still in print AMAZON.COM will be able to supply it.
>
>Amazon.com also locates and sells out of print books.
Or just try a library.
My usual 2 cents is: just about any wood will work, especially given modern
wood treatments, or if the boat is kept in a dry place when not paddling.
There's no point in stressing over the perfect wood.
Boat woods I've heard of include (leaving out the usual yachty suspects):
any pine
fir
ash
tulip poplar (native dugouts, Chesapeake)
"camphor" (China)
larch
cedar
willow
hickory (Blandford, in his folding kayak design)
red mulberry - USA
sassafras - USA
osage orange - USA
elm
breadfruit - Pacific
coconut - Pacific
Calophyllum - Pacific
ironwood - Pacific, also Joshua Slocum
Koa - Hawaii
not to mention Bamboo.
I'm sure there are more, this ain't an exhaustive list.
Craig O'Donnell
The Proa FAQ <http://www.cyber-dyne.com/~jkohnen/proafaq.html>
The Cheap Pages <http://www.friend.ly.net/user-homepages/d/dadadata/>
Sailing Canoes, Polytarp Sails, Bamboo, Chinese Junks,
American Proas, the Bolger Boat Honor Roll,
Plywood Boats, Bamboo Rafts, &c.
_________________________________
-- Professor of Boatology
-- Junkomologist
-- Macintosh kinda guy
Friend of Wanda the Wonder Cat, 1991-1997.
_________________________________