For an oak bowsprit, is epoxy OK?

[stewart711]

Hello

This winter I'll be making a new bowsprit. The current one is rotted. Its 1 1/2" thick x 6" wide by 6' long. I intend to glue two 3/4" white oak planks together. I think I read that epoxy is not the best choice for this task. Is this true. Should I use polyurethane or PL400? Now if getting white oak is a problem (I think it might be) what other wood would be suitable?

Thanks Stewart

[Ian McColgin]

Not oak. That's your problem. You don't need the greatest spar wood, so go with some nice doug fir.

[Mrleft8]

Why not just get an 8/4 piece of White Oak? It's not like it's rare or anything......

[wizbang 13]

oak bowsprit?

[James McMullen]

I'd agree with the advice about d. fir instead of oak. That extra weight hanging way out in front doesn't do your pitching moment arm any favors, and fir is well established as more than plenty strong enough. But if you do want to go with oak anyways though, Mrleft is right, 8/4 white oak is by no means a rare and exotic thing. You're just not going to find it at Home Depot--look up "Hardwoods" in the Yellow Pages. Avoid the hassle and suspicion of any glue joint by just getting a piece that's already that thick.

[stewart711]

Easy Boys .... The current one is oak and I believe it to be original. There is a lot of other wood work on the boat that is also oak, I just thought it should match. I like your suggestions of d fir, I'll go with it, but as a plank vs a round I think it not as sweet looking.