White Oak-Red Oak?

[alan white]

Originally Posted by nordvindcrew

Holt and Bugbee rings a bell very distantly. The name is familiar but I can't place it as to where it is. I need fresh cut green wood to steam bend into ribs. Would they have access to that kind of wood? There are two local sawmills around here and I hoped to go buy some fresh cut and sawed local wood. I've got a lot of white cedar that is quite clear, but I'm afraid that wouldn't have enough strength fot my needs. The book I have on kayak building specifies clear spruce, but I'm building a larger boat to be rowed and feel the strength of the oak would be worth the weight. I could scale up the scantlings for cedar but would prefer the oak. Jeff

I don't blame you for wanting white oak. For a larger rowing boat, nothing indiginous comes close. For a kayak, laminated ash coated with epoxy would be fine, and very available kiln dried.
The bigger boat...ask the advice of Brooklin Boat Yard in Brooklin, Maine. Or Brad Story (Essex, Mass) down near you. Both are wood boat builders who would use steamed white oak.

Alan

[Barrettp]

Great to read up on the white vs red oak in boat building. I signed up for this forum to ask some questions of my own...

I have an opportunity to buy some white oak(approx. 2000bf). I have not worked much with white oak but have this 14' Canadian Dart(1950's vintage Peterborough) that is powerwed by a 20hp 4-stroke). It leaks pretty bad due to several broken ribs that allow water to seep in especially when standing in those weal areas.
Would this material be appropriate for steaming and bending the needed half round ribs? I have done a fair amount of cedar canvas conoe construction and am used to bending ash, cherry and white cedar... so was thinking that this would be the correct approach!?

Thank you in advance for all your help! If anyone is interested I could attach photos of my latest cedar canvas canoe project including fabrication of the form on which to make the canoe...
Barrett