Masts, bowsprits, stems and knees...

[Flitch]

Hey Boys,
I am am a manager in a mostly Douglas Fir sawmill in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. This week while cleaning up the logyard I came across numerous bent logs with a profound bend in them, mostly on the butt end and it occurred to me that I should ask if there is a market for them. I am able to two-side them on our headrig and though boat building is a skill I only dream of, especially with stems 6"-12" and wider, I could have these shipped to my friends. I also have a good supply of gently tapering douglas fir and larch logs which are currently sold for building logs for a few hundred bucks per cubic meter. Is their a market for masts or bowsprits? Given that I am in the interior, our rate of growth is slow with small knots and 25-40 rings per inch being common.
Anyhow, all this being said, am I off my rocker or is there a demand for specialty boat wood out there?
PS I can take pics if anyone wants to see what I am talking about.
Flitch

[Captain Connor]

I would say there should be a market for these, depending on their condition.

post some pics so we can take a look at what your talking about.

Thanks!

[Northernguy59]

I need some cedar demensional lumber & shakes......no anywhere I get get them ?

[merlinron]

i'd say there's probably a market for them...... the question is, "just how much of a market"?.... is it worth loading up one area of the yard with them on the prospect of selling only a few per year. gratnted it is nice to know where they can be had, but depending on how big your operation is, it might not make finacial sence. i would think it's not a good idea to side them ahead of time, which would make it easier to store them, for sure, but every application requires different dimensions.

[Thorne]

Try putting up a webpage with some photos and good descriptions, then contact various boatbuilding schools and yards -- they would probably be your best customers.

If there is enough interest, try advertizing in the pages of our kind host's publication -=- one guy selling knees in BC has already done so, room for more...

[Thad]

Too bad you're so far away. It'd take some planning

[Flitch]

This is what I am talkin' 'bout:


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2405827209_e7fa00227a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2405855995_057b747684_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2405867401_f94a611d7e.jpg


These are Western Larch but I have one stashed for my Bowsprit and a Mast.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/2405851283_e22c9b741f_b.jpg

[Flitch]

I will have to look up the harmonized tariff schedule to see if masts are dutiable and I'll ask the boys at the border about shipping a single whole log. For those of you who want sawn timbers, I can saw just about any size imaginable and although my headrig only goes up to 26', I have a friend that does up to 40' by special order. We do WR Cedar, White Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Doug Fir, Western Larch, Hemlock... We have 80' kilns as well.

I just don't know if the shipping makes it feasible unless we have a truck headed to your neighbourhood.
Flitch

[Northernguy59]

I could use a load strieght stock of WR Cedar and some hemlock. I would need it shipped to Thunder Bay, Ont.

What widths can you supply I need 1" x ? in hemlock and 2 x ? in WRC. rough cut is fine and i can plane it here. I guess I could set up the shipping. Kiln dried hemlock

Dale

[Flitch]

I dug out that Douglas Fir log from that 3rd pic today:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2428786947_d63a89f9e4_b.jpg

I will two side the flat faces for a 6" stem but who wants it? I won't labor the point boys, so this is the last time I'll ask.. is there a market for these? Would it be better to saw it to a 4"? Cut it shorter? Hmmmmm?
Flitch