Rough sawn Port Orford to planks

[Anastasia]

I got my 1 inch thick rough sawn Port Orford Cedar planks which have about 15% moisture content propped up inside workshop with boat.

I want to get them read for riveting into my lapstrake. The maximum final thickness of the planks I want is about 1/2 inch. Some planks will need to be steam bent to fit into the stem and transom.

For one thing I am wondering about moisture content and shrinkage of Port Orford. Should I hold off doing anything until the wood reaches a particular moisture content?

Secondly, I'm thinking about the procedure of get the plank material read of riveting in. From what I've read it seems that I use a planer to get the wood down to 1/2 inch, cut wood into shape of plank, plane down to match contours of damaged plank, steam bend wood, fit it in and mark were rivets go and rivet ?

[Bob Smalser]

From your other thread, I take it you've already removed the planks that need replacing?

If so, then they are your pattern for plank shape and bevel...you copy them exactly, I believe. Didn't you buy a book on lapstrake construction and repair? What does that say, as I personally have never replaced a lapstrake plank.

Don't predrill for rivets...do it after the new planks are in place. You'd never get all those small holes perfectly aligned.

The wood is losing moisture every day in this weather...if they were 15% a few weeks ago they may be down to the desired 9-11% by the time you get them in.

[ 07-21-2004, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]