: 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.

Btw, you don't have to steam ribs, you can always cut the strips for the ribs very thin and laminate them. Almost any wood will work for that.

Bill H.