fitting ply core into transome of new hull

[rwatson]

A potential non-rot, plantation growing timber is Kiri (Pawlonia). I read that coffins buried in soggy ground were still intact after 100 years. The raw, untreated sample bit in my shower is virtually unmarked after 18 months, which is a solid test given constant wet/dry conditions.
Even termites wont touch it - and yet it is one of the easiest, lightest most pleasant timbers to work I have seen.

[Willallison]

RW - I assume you got your sample of Kirri from Highpoint ?

[rwatson]

If thats the guys from WA, (and i think I remember them as Highpoint), yes.
Why do you ask ?

[Willallison]

Yep - that'd be them.
I ask because I'm planning on using Kirri for a strip-planked 30-odd footer I'm working on at the moment. Always good to be able to compare more than one supplier.....
I have found someone who's actually growing and milling it up near Noosa (as opposed to Highpoint's imported stuff) but they're the only other (possible) source that I've come across to date

[rwatson]

Thats exciting to hear someone has actually gone into production. I always get the conscience problem when I use those great but threatened timbers like Celery Top, Huon Pine, WRC etc that are from wild stocks.
The other appeal is the non-allergenic properties - WRCedar is so hard on the nose and lungs, especiallly in strip planking.
Are the prices much the same ?

[Willallison]

There was quite a bit of discussion about Kirri here:

Kiri properties

Not wanting to hijack this thread, perhaps we should continue there....

But in quick answer to your question, I'm told that the cost is considerably less than WRC - supposedly about 1/2, but I doubt that.....
I do have prices, but not here on my work computer