Walnut

[sarah m]

At the apprenticeshop in rockland there is a whitehall being finished with a lot of walnut. The transom, sheer, thwart risers and the thwarts will be walnut. The builders have had a lot of trouble bending it, and as a result have decided to use oak for inwales, and other more structural pieces.
No one seems to have ever even heard of walnut being used in wooden boats, and so I was curious to know if anyone out there had any experience with it? How does it hold up over time?

[pcford]

I'll be the first to say it: coffin wood.

[Tom Robb]

I thought coffins were pine boxes....
Or is this on of those arcane superstitions?

[outofthenorm]

I'll be the first to say it: coffin wood.

And I wish you were the last. Nonsense superstition.

- Norm

[Paul Girouard]

Dakota Creek uses a lot of it on their boats , commerical builder / re-work yard in Anacortes , Wa.


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[URL]http://www.dakotacreek.com/gallery.html (http://www.dakotacreek.com/gallery.html)

[Vinny&Shawn]

I owned a 1936, Crocker Yawl, the interior was done in walnut, held up superbly with proper care like any other vessel. It is very rot resistant, though can sometimes, be difficult to work with.
Some of the most prestigious boats have walnut interiors.
I have used walnut in the interior of my latest boat to make many additions.
It would probably do well in making the back bone and fames of any vessel. But there are other woods to do the duty,while walnut can be used for structural adornment,and cabinetry. Expense is probably a consideration?
Superstitions abound!!!

[simonmags]

I thought now with the advances in epoxy like the west systems stuff, that you could pretty much use any wood you like and not have to worry too much about rot, provided you finish it properly with epoxy or something similar...

[tapsnap]

Sarah,
I'm surprised to hear that you were having difficulties bending walnut. It is one of the best steam bending woods you will find.

[wizbang 13]

It is the best to build the hatch cover that gets turned upside down, or the boat that leaves port on friday,or for the guy who whistles on his boat.

[Mrleft8]

Curious that you're having trouble bending it....In my experience Walnut bends very nicely. Perhaps you just have a bad piece.
As for "coffin wood".... I've seen more coffins made out of Mahogany than Black Walnut....

[peter radclyffe]

if you can find golden coloured walnut & clear finish it, beautiful, like a fine piece of furniture, ive only heard of it in superyachts because of the cost,