Spruce for boat use?

Some wood identified as "spruce" is available here.  It looks good and seems fairly strong.  I believe I remember some discussion regarding using spruce for boat frame and other uses on WBP.  Is spruce a recommended boat frame material, and is there more than one type?  If there are multiple types, how would you determine which to use?  Thanks for any help.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on January 28, 2012 at 6:59am

Larry, there are several sub species of spruce and in the Northwest its' Sitka Spruce, and is a widley used material for frames and spars. The weight to strength ratio is decent and as long as the frames are exposed there is limited chance of dry rot, something to which Sitka spruce can be susceptible. Glen-L does a decent analysis of woods for boats. Take a look here - http://glen-l.com/wood-plywood/bb-chap5c.html#species , scroll down and review their take on the various suitabilities of woods.

Permalink Reply by larry Hambley on January 28, 2012 at 7:38am

Thanks Rodger.  I will check it out.

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on January 28, 2012 at 8:36am

Larry:  Not trying to be a smart a$$- but where is "here".  if the West coast  Sitka and Englemann if the East coast red, white and black spruce.  Here are a few numbers from the Forestry Handbook.

                 Fiber stress(psi) mod of Rupture(psi)  50 lb hammer drop(inches)  .44ball penetration-Lbs

Engl                  6000                 8500                             15                                 310

Sitka                 6700               10,200                            25                                 510

Eastern             6500                10,100                           22                                 490

I had a hard time distinguishing r,w,b spruce when taking a wood technology course.  Its easier if you see the tree standing in the woods.   If you are getting it in a big box store its probably a mix of species.  Sitka is great stuff as is black( was used to make step ladders - before the days of fiberglass).  I have only used easten spruce for boat/canoe building.  Glues well and holds ringshank nails well- will dent if you give it a harsh look on the workbench. If the lumber yard   says its sitka spruce i would buy it.

Good Luck                 

Permalink Reply by larry Hambley on January 28, 2012 at 11:20am

Lawrence:  Here is Eastern Tennessee.  None of the big boxes here sell anything other than pine.  I found this spruce at a fairly large mom & pop lumberyard.  I wanted more info before pursuing it further.  That is one impressive tree you have!

Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on January 28, 2012 at 9:21am

This is what they look like. The one I am standing behind is the but cut. The one i am along the side was the third cut 16' lengths.

Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on January 28, 2012 at 9:25am

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on January 28, 2012 at 11:22am

Rick: Looking ar sawlogs like that makes my heart rate go up.  I hope they don't end up in Japan- turned into magazine racks or toilet paper holders. Thats the stuff to be used for spars and yards. Beautiful!

Permalink Reply by Andrew on January 30, 2012 at 5:53pm

Here is a good reference that may help you out.  It allows you to compare the qualitiies of various woods, including very specific varieties.

http://www.wood-database.com

Andrew

Permalink Reply by larry Hambley on January 31, 2012 at 4:25am

Thanks Andrew.  I checked and it looks like a great reference site.

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