old timbers

[shellback]

I'm getting ready to start a small trawler. The designer calls for Douglas Fir for the framing material. I have a pile of old (50+ years) doug fir boards that are virtually clear but wonder about the wisdom of using material that is this old. It is VERY dry. Thanks for your input.

[Bob Smalser]

See the post on unseasoned timbers and store those boards stickered outdoors to reach equilibrium, if they aren't already.

DF is one of the dryer woods. Airdried, it runs around 12-15% EMC in your wet season and will soak to around 20-22% in a submerged trawler keel. The difference between the two in swelling is how much, if any (based on width between keel rabbets), to compensate for in construction.

[ 11-16-2005, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[emichaels]

Would it be a good idea to use as much quarter sawn material where movement would be the most damaging ?? Are you using this DF for planking or somewhere else in the boat structurally ?

Eric

[ 11-19-2005, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: emichaels ]