Yo Mark

We have extensive forests of Pinus radiata in New Zealand. This species grows real quick in the mild New Zealand climate and trees are harvested between 20 - 30 years. NZ pine is characterised by being relatively heavy with very coarse grain compared to western red (because of the fast growth) it is light in colour and is prone to rot (but is deemed to be ok for boat building if water proofed (with lots of epoxy). Only a very few eccentrics would use Pinus radiata for boat building in New Zealand. Out of curiosity I used it on a practice Bolger dinghy that I made out of packing ply just because I could. The dinghy worked out too heavy to use and I don't use it much. I noticed that some of the pine that I have used is starting to rot.

Because of the coarse grain and soft wood, it is comparatively tricky to work compared to Western red. But prime quality stuff is not bad. I lined my walk in pantry with this stuff (p.radiata), but it still cost a fortune.

We have a native white pine usually called Kahikatea. This is a fine grained, golden colour wood. It comes from swamp forests mostly in South Westland, New Zealand. Kahikatea, white pine is a native and is no longer commonly milled. It is nice stuff and I made most of my trailer sailer out of this. It is relatively heavier than western red cedar, but strong.

If you have P. radiata, it would probably work if you don't mind saturating it in epoxy and don't intend your skin on frame project to last forever. Just oiling it like I understand most skin on frames would not be a long term option. If you have kahikatea, you have a score and it will be fine to use.

Good luck

Pete