: I just wanted to thank you for the positive responses I've gotten from the
: Bulletin Board. When you build your own boat you think you're holding up a
: candle in the dark. It is nice to see other twinkling lights in the
: forest. I'll share a bit of what I learned on the first boat. Purple heart
: is a beautifu wood, but don't treat it like a wood. It behaves like a soft
: metal, like thick brass, or aluminum. So work it like metal. Cut a little
: at a time. Double clamp the thing before touching it with a power tool.
: And don't even try to bend it. It is great for the deck, the combing, the
: paddle stem, anywhere flat. But oh, man when you get that glass on it does
: it shine! I also have a question. On flush hatches, it seems like there
: are some spots that will let water seep in. Capillary action is a strong
: force. Do you oversize the hole and rim it with epoxy? Similar to the way
: holes are drilled bigger at first, re epoxied, then drilled small?

Bending does work with purpleheart. Make the pieces as thin as possible. I found 1/8" works and steam or soak in boiling water. This will leach out some purple color from the surface though.

It does look fantastic in use. See my website for its use in the Merganser 16 coaming - both vertical part and the rim itself.

pete czerpak
albany, NY