Douglas Fir Source?

[Raka025]

I'm looking for a source of DF to reframe a Concordia. I'm in Arkansas so anywhere from Memphis on up to the N.W. would be fine.

Thanks - Rob

[Mrleft8]

D-Fir to reframe Raka? Are you sure she wasn't framed in White Oak?

[James McMullen]

Doug fir won't work so well for frames unless they are glue laminated--it's not a good choice for steam bending. Are you planning to make laminated frames for your repair? I second the vote for steamed white oak.

[Raka025]

Raka025 is actually a Swift Solo, which is a strip built high-performance skiff/dingy. It was named after my dalmatian that passed away who's name came from the Concordia Yawl Raka. Life kind of comes full circle.

The reframing job is #9, now named Amphora. She is framed in white oak-correct. The douglas fir choice would be a lamination application. I have a boatwright coming out for the month of February and want to make sure the work he does is not grunt work.

Personally, I have never steam bent oak though do feel confident in laminating the frames. As the original frames were oak and most have broken and had been sistered. Though considered a failure, which most likely was the tight seamed mahohany planking of A&R in conjunction with the tight radius of the turn of the bilge, may stress the oak to fracture. I have been told that when steam bending oak, a number of frames will snap in the process. If this is the case, I am concerned about the ones that don't break yet might be close to their breaking point. Once the boat gets back in the water and it swells, will they now be at their breaking point?

I do have a source of oak on the property so the logical decision should be just to use it. The other variable aside from the help in February is I'll be most likely picking away on this job in my spare time alone and percieve that laminating the frames would be easier. The plan would be to pick up the lines of the hull with a joggle stick, trace to a table in the shop and laminate the frames. I was just going to cut out the rib from the inside and bang out the bungs with the screws. Do any of you have experience with steam bending oak frames on a jig alone and than installing them?

Still looking for a source of DF to price out. Any other advice for the reframing would be considered and appreciated.