Hello all,

Here is an update on the wood search. I finally decided on the mahogany, so I went to the local lumberyard to check out some new stuff they just got in. It was 17 feet long and in boards up to 12" x 2.5" rough cut. The problem was it was horribly sawn, and poorly dried. It had checking and run-out all over. Every board was crooked. I would have to buy the largest board and cut it down to size. I was just about to say "how much" when I looked over my shoulder, and what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a stack of cypress all knot-free and clear. (pardon the rhyme)

The cypress was 1x6 tongue and groove, 16 feet long. I would prefer ripping the gunwales from one board, but I figured I could find two similar ones. BINGO! I found two that were sawn from the same stick- matched grain and nearly quarter-sawn. Very tight grain with almost no knots. Jackpot!!!

Cypress is a bit splintery and I am going to have to be real careful with this stuff but I think it's going to do. It's very light stuff. Now I just need to find something for ribs. I don't think cypress is going to do the trick for those. I may end up using the mahogany for ribs if I can get it to bend enough. Below is a close-up of the grain.

I will keep you posted on progress.