restoring a 16'centerboard daysailer...

[Truckmen]

...and this old sailer will need floors as well as planking.

Has anyone considered or actually used ash for the floors (frames) on a small day sailer?

My friend up a mile away from me here in Glenburn has a sawmill and has some green ash. I am also considering his cedar for the planking over that ash if used. Any suggestions?

Here is a link to a list of images on the project:
http://3me.com/images/Aarons_sailboat/september06/small/

[Thorne]

Try a search of this Forum on "Ash" -- you'll find that it is not recommended for planks or frames on boats due to problems with rot.

That said, it does seem to get some use in very lightweight boats like canoes and kayaks, but these are heavily covered with epoxy and not left in the water, and stored indoors also.

[Truckmen]

I have obtained some tight-grained quarter-sawn spruce out of a 300+ year-old tree that I will use for frames.
Has anyone used this type and cut of wood for same?

[boatbear]

Hi Truckmen, you seem to have quite a project on your hands.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435943.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435942.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435944.jpg

At 16’, at least you are facing a finite number of planks and frames to replace. Do you have any background info on the boat? It looks from the pics to be carvel, but it is hard to tell. How are you planning to seal the planking?
Sorry, can’t offer advice on the spruce, but I’ll follow your rebuild with interest. Do you have any pics of the whole hull?
Charlie

[Truckmen]

Hi Truckmen, you seem to have quite a project on your hands.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435943.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435942.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL405/8230927/15385054/278435944.jpg

At 16’, at least you are facing a finite number of planks and frames to replace. Do you have any background info on the boat? It looks from the pics to be carvel, but it is hard to tell. How are you planning to seal the planking?
Sorry, can’t offer advice on the spruce, but I’ll follow your rebuild with interest. Do you have any pics of the whole hull?
Charlie

I won't be able to get more photos until I get back ashore. I am in the Gulf of Mexico until Nov 14th.
This was a home-built boat from the early 1960s and with plan that may have come from an old Poplular Science or similar publication. More I cannot tell right now.

Ahhh, you brought up a question I have not started to figure out. I caulking will be my first attempt and I have not gotten to that yet. I will say that I intend to plank with cedar.