Pine for Hatch Boards?

[bffatcat]

hatch boards

When I bought my boat the original hatch boards were pretty beat up. They
were made out of a mahogany laminate. It was my intention to replace the boards with Oak, but the local lumber mill didnt have any oak available in the
size I needed. He did have ash which he said was as durable with a similar grain and cost less. I went with the ash. It worked out ok. I also made a new tiller out of the ash as well. I find ash to be solid durable and rot free
after 7 years.

 

[HukilauMike]

ML Condon Lumber in White Plains sells every species of wood mentioned here. I can't believe that there isn't a store somewhere closer to you, say around Hartford, CT?

Home Depot has put just about all of the independent lumber yards around here out of business. There is one still around in my town, and I will check with them again. They did sell me the one sheet of marine grade plywood I used to make my current boards, but I had to special order it. When I asked about mahogany a couple of years ago, they said they couldn't special order just one board. That's what I meant when I said they didn't want to sell me one board. Maybe they have some white oak or ash in stock. Ipe sounds nice, but I don't have any special woodworking tools. I'm just going to use my cheapo table saw and hand-held jigsaw.

Thank you all for your insights, advice and ideas.

 

[48dodge]

I had no issues working with ipe with my tools. You have to rip it very slowly to keep from bogging your tablesaw down. I ripped several pieces and they came out looking like they've already been sanded. Don't let the hardness scare you. Especially for the little bit of work you have to do.

 

[sailingdog]

I wouldn't recommend making drop boards out of any softwood. First, most softwoods don't have the requisite strength needed for drop boards. Second, most softwoods will swell if the finish is damaged and they start to get wet—then they'll warp and then the problems really start.

IMHO, you'd be much better off making the dropboards of a good hardwood or better yet, LEXAN. 3/8" or 1/2" LEXAN drop boards are probably going to be much lower maintenance and stronger than wooden dropboards of the same thickness.

 

[RanAweigh]

Mike,

Try Rings End for specialty hardwoods I have had good service from them and there is a branch right in Branford. http://www.ringsend.com/
Good Luck

 

[Ross]

All of the materials mentioned here will do the job well. Someone mentioned the strength requirement of the drop boards and I fell that is a minor concern. Pine can be used with confidence if kept coated, my choice would be paint on pine. Pine will keep for 10 years on our homes when kept painted and the drop boards are the most replaceable item on a boat. If cost is no concern and maintenance is not a head ache then Honduras Mahogany would be my first choice.

 

[sailingdog]

IMHO, strength of dropboards is a major concern. If you're caught out in a storm and have to heave to, having weak dropboards is going to be a problem, especially if you're boat gets pooped badly... The cabin's water-tight integrity is only as good as the weakest link.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Single board.

Like Warren I years ago made a single board just for the winter layup. It is birch plywood, or at least the top veneer is birch. I found it so handy for getting in and out of the boat that I use it exclusively now. With one hand I can set it on the bridgedeck, go in/out, and put it back in. When you are trying to keep the rain out or the cold/heat in this can't be beat. It doesn't look as good as "doors" but much cheaper and easier.

Now it is time to find the right wood and make an improved version, especially for looks. So I am very interested in this thread. To make a single board I will need to glue something. Are any of these aforementioned woods impervious to glue?

As mentioned previously I cannot imagine that there is not a good lumber yard nearby. We have half a dozen not counting the excellent Amish carpenter shops nearby(Canton, OH).

 

[Ross]

IMHO, strength of dropboards is a major concern. If you're caught out in a storm and have to heave to, having weak dropboards is going to be a problem, especially if you're boat gets pooped badly... The cabin's water-tight integrity is only as good as the weakest link.

This man sails an O-Day 23 and a 1x6 pine board 2 feet long will support a man's weight. I don't see that the strength of the drop boards is a major concern. Polycarbonate boards would just as likely flex enough to be pushed out of the jambs as a pine board would be to break.

 

[Joe]

mike, don't compromise because of home depot ...

..there are bound to be specialty lumber yards in your area that handle the types of hardwoods Ross is suggesting. You need to look beyond the home depot - local lumber yard suppliers for specialists. Don't use pine, don't even settle for plywood. If you're going to take the time to make these things take the time to find a specialty hardwood supplier for your project. You'll end up with something you will be proud of that will last for years.

 

[caguy]

I brought back a piece of iron wood from the Philipines many years ago. Tried to turn it on a lathe, forget it that stiff is tough. 30 yrs later it is still sittng there and you are right the stuff is heavy.Frank

 

[kendall]

Re: mike, don't compromise because of home depot ...

These guys carry a decent selection of wood, and a very nice selection of tools and machinary too!

http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/

Plenty of stores nationwide

One good way to find them is to look in the phone book for woodworking machinary, preferably something aimed at the home craftsman type, they generally sell woodworking equipment but most will have a fair selection of hardwoods. Stores aimed at the proffesional carpenter etc may sell machinery, but if they sell wood it will be construction grade pine etc. They will -normally- know where you can pick up better quality wood, furniture grade, or exotics. (it's how I located the stores near me)

Agree, pine will do the job, but will not have the same lifespan as a good hardwood. A good hardwood can be neglected and still survive, pine will demand constant attention.

Ken.

 

[sailingdog]

My dropboards are 3/8" Lexan and they couldn't be kicked out or pushed out—they just don't bend enough. Especially since the two dropboards overlap for about 1.25 inches where they meet, and it is effectively 3/4" of Lexan there. A lot of boats come with 1/4" Lexan drop boards, and they're a bit on the weak side...but 3/8" or 1/2" lexan ain't going anywhere.

This man sails an O-Day 23 and a 1x6 pine board 2 feet long will support a man's weight. I don't see that the strength of the drop boards is a major concern. Polycarbonate boards would just as likely flex enough to be pushed out of the jambs as a pine board would be to break.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Plantation grown teak would be my first choice, it doesn't break the bank.Mahogany and white oak second and third choice.
Check with cabinet shops for left overs, you only need a couple of boardfeet.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

You probably know this but you can get ready made

board sets from D and R Marine. teak veneer over marine ply for $149

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

Motorcycle and snowsled crates especially from SE Asia are often teak or mahogany. My father used to pull the stuff from a local dealer, saw off the nailed ends and use the pieces for crafts, shelves, toys for the grandkids etc. What we found over the years, was that it was indeed durable, but because it was not originally kiln dried, if would warp, twist and cup if not stacked, packed (with weight) and let air dry for a couple of seasons. After that careful selection of the straight pieces resulted in some pretty good looking projects. I still have an art decor table in the living room made from this stuff, and it looks good. I do caution however that most pieces have residual nail holes in them. Investing in a metal detector might be a good idea.

 

[Ross]

Sailingdog , I didn't say they would push out. I said that they would as likely flex enough to push out as a pine board were to break. In either case the force would be extreme.

 

[sailingdog]

Ross-

I think pine is far more likely to break, especially if the boards are less than 1/2" thick. Consider the fact that riot shields are made from Lexan... and usually aren't 3/8" thick.

 

[r.w.landau]

Dude, You are in need, I will help.

Send me the bottom width, the top width and the height overall. I will also need the thickness at the retainers ( most likely 1/2") I will use 3/4" material thinned at the retainers pieces.
I will make them and send them to you.
E-mail me through the site here so I know where to send it. click my avatar and e-mail from there.
r.w.landau
Beware of Urethane, most are indoor and have no UV protection. I would like to make you and epi or the newer less expensive Cumaru, also a brazilian hardwood.

 

[Ross]

Ross-

I think pine is far more likely to break, especially if the boards are less than 1/2" thick. Consider the fact that riot shields are made from Lexan... and usually aren't 3/8" thick.

My statement was based on a 1x6 pine board. Dressed that is 25/32 thick.

Does any boat builder use 1/2 inch thick drop boards?

I have been closing up a house with 3/16 lexan and I know that it is very tough and resistant to breaking but it does bend. A four foot strip will bend into a 15 inch circle with no sign of approaching the elastic limits. This lexan costs about 5 dollars per square foot so I would presume that 3/8 would be close to 10 dollars and 1/2 inch 12-13 dollars. most common hardwoods can be had for about 5 dollars per board foot. That is 12x12x3/4 dressed.