Wood Question - Chines on a 10ft Pram

[Arizona Bay]

I'm doing a quick and cheap 10ft sailing pram, and trying to use the wood I have in hand.

Chines are to be 3/4x 1, and a little over 8'. Which would be the better choice, ripping them from a doug fir 2x4 (typical fast grown with giant growth rings), or a piece of old growth ponderosa pine (50-60 r/in) and I also have some ash, it will be sealed in epoxy as well.
Being in AZ, the wood is very dry and will definitely dry out between outings
Thanks, Greg

[Lewisboater]

I would go with the DF then the Pine then most anything other than Ash. Ash is good for bows and perhaps steamed ribs in a canoe but not chine logs. I have built a few boats with radiata pine chine logs and while it is soft it works pretty good.

[Arizona Bay]

That was my initial thought.. I just look at the nice pine, then the avg. doug fir ... pine is prettier LoL. Not sure if the rot resistance is better with one or the other, if the DF was tighter grained, I'd use that fer sure.

I may try making a laminated mast out of the pine. I know it's not very flexible, but it's a sprit rig and the mast is only 8' x 2" with no taper. The ash will end up as a tiller, most likely

[Jay Greer]

The best material for the chines you describe is white oak. I usually steam them before bending them over the molds. The reason for using this wood is that it is highly rot resistant. And, it holds fastenings very well.
Jay

[wizbang 13]

And then there are woodless chines.

[Arizona Bay]

And then there are woodless chines.

Indeed... but I don't want to sand fillets again... yet
Nice boat, I like the thole pin arrangement.


I'd use white oak if it was around, but the closest is 2 1/2 hrs away. This is a quick and cheap build anyway, the good stuff and bigger budget goes to a longer term project.

[John of Phoenix]

Indeed... but I don't want to sand fillets again... yet

Never sand epoxy fillets again! Put a layer of Peel Ply over the fillet after you form it, smooth everything out and let it cure. The Peel Ply will come off and you'll have perfectly formed fillet and the epoxy will have filled the weave of any fiberglass tape you've used. A HUGE time and frustration saver.

I've used the Econoply J with great success. http://www.peelply.com/

60"x25yd roll for $84US. https://www.airtechonline.com/htm/defaultIE.htm

[Oldad]

I do not sand fillets either, just scrape them with scrapers of the appropriate radius (available from JD). Does a fine job when kept well sharpened.

Oldad hates sanding most anything