Grain orientation, GPI, in Doug fir mast, boom

[okawbow]

OK,. I've located some Douglas fir only 15 miles from home. It is 1 x 4,(3 1/2" x 3/4") and 20 feet long. The boards are clear, straight grain, and have been stacked in a lumber yard attic for 30 years. I need about 30 of these boards to make 30', and 23' masts, and 13' and 9' booms. There are about 100 boards to choose from. some of them are verticle grain, some flat sawn, and some at an angle. They run from about 20 grains per inch to about 6 grains per inch, with the average about 12. And I can get it for $1.00 a lineal foot.

Does this sound workable for box masts and booms? I wouldn't even have to laminate for the booms, and only add the " tongue" for the rabbet, on the smaller mast. The larger mast would need every side edge glued for additional width, and the fore and aft boards also laminated to get the 1 1/4" thickness I need. My existing masts have fairly wide grain Sitka spruce, with the fore and aft boards grain at an angle, and the side boards flat sawn. Whadoyouthink?

[JimConlin]

The better lumber yards hereabouts have VG Douglas fir in 2x6 for roughly the same price per net board foot. I think the 2x6 is available up to 16'. If you hunt a bit, the 1x4 decking can be found up to 22' or so.

[okawbow]

No one in this area has DF for less than $6-8 a board ft. The nearest VG in 8/4 I could find was in Detroit at $6.50. And I would have to order it and take what they give me. $3.00 a board ft looks like a bargain to me if it will work.

Is there a reason for using wide grain ( at least 9 gpi ) in masts? is it lighter? I wouldn't think it was stronger.

[boattruck]

Bow, If you have to laminate and edge glue to make up the sizes you need, bargain lumber is no bargain, you may be able to reduce scantlings very slightly because of the change from S. Spruce to D. Fir, but not enough to make 1x4 ok for these masts...Incidentally, I used to go to my supplier and hand pick all my spar lumber, and at one point was too jammed up, and just told them what sizes I needed, and they selected more beutiful stock than I think I could have, so don't nessesarily think letting the guys that look at lumber all day every day select your stock is going to be a problem. That price seems about in line. Best of luck with your 'sparring', Cheers, BT