Can I use SPF lumber to plank?

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Nic Mulligan, Dec 30, 2021.

  1. Nic Mulligan
    Joined: Dec 2021
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    Location: Kingston

    Nic Mulligan Junior Member

    Hello
    I am 21 years old and have reached the stage of planking a wood boat carvel style. I am a college student and obviously don’t have money to spare. I know the most common used and best suitable woods to plank but I was wondering if I could use SPF to plank. the boat is a 16ft petrel. I don’t expect it to last very long. I just enjoy building and learning about boats
     
  2. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    That boat is supposed to be planked with plywood. If you are OK with a lesser quality product, exterior grade plywood will work. I have built many small boats with CDX with fiberglassed seams and joints. If left outside, they will last 4-5 years. You need to go through the pile of plywood and find the best. There are usually a few sheets of fairly good quality, without excessive voids.
     
    DogCavalry likes this.
  3. Nic Mulligan
    Joined: Dec 2021
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: Kingston

    Nic Mulligan Junior Member

    Great thank you. How long would you say marine grade would last? I’m in Ontario and I know fresh water has a bigger impact on wood (for the worse) and with freezing temperatures and hot summers.
     
  4. Nic Mulligan
    Joined: Dec 2021
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    Location: Kingston

    Nic Mulligan Junior Member

    Is there any advantages or disadvantages to planking a hull when it’s meant to be plywood?
     
  5. Rumars
    Joined: Mar 2013
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    Location: Germany

    Rumars Senior Member

    Yes you can, but why would you? Traditional boat building woods in your area include tamarack (frames and planking), eastern white pine (planking) and eastern white cedar (planking). If you buy at a lumberyard instead of the big box store they won't be more expensive then SPF.

    A hard chined boat can be carvel planked (if you do the required mods to the framing), but it's much simpler to go double diagonal. The resulting short lenghts will simplify obtaining cheap wood. Unless you specifically want to learn caulking, there is no reason to go carvel.
     

  6. Nic Mulligan
    Joined: Dec 2021
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 1, Points: 3
    Location: Kingston

    Nic Mulligan Junior Member

    Thank you for the info. Much appreciated. I’m very new to boat building but already love it thanks!
     
    DogCavalry likes this.
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