Acorn To Arabellavideo

Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Episode 111: Putting Cedar to the Test

15 May 2020 · 24 min · 141K views · Spencer, Massachusetts

What this video covers

The builders of the wooden boat *Arabella* decided to replace the vessel's cedar hull planking with oak after a cedar plank snapped during installation.13:13 To test the material strength, the crew performed a comparative impact test using a sledgehammer on oak and cedar boards, which confirmed the superior durability and impact resistance of oak.14:41 The team calculated that using oak for the lower hull will add approximately 700 to 1,500 pounds of weight, a trade-off they determined is acceptable to ensure structural integrity for planned voyages to remote, high-latitude regions like Baffin Island and Patagonia.18:58 The crew removed the previously installed cedar planks and the associated copper rivets, opting to sell the used rivets on their website.23:26 They plan to use oak for all planking up to the waterline, reserving cedar for the topsides where the wood faces less structural stress and lower risk of collision damage.20:11

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