TIPS Season 3 - Episode 2: How to choose the best lumber for boat building and more
24 May 2020 · 26 min · 126K views
What this video covers
Louis Sauzedde selects raw timber for boat construction at New England Naval Timbers in Cornwall, Connecticut.0:04 He prioritizes vertical-grain white oak and black locust for structural components like rails, chines, and gunnel caps.5:44 When selecting logs, he identifies center-cut pieces where the pith can be removed to isolate stable, vertical-grain lumber that resists swelling and contraction.10:13 He specifically seeks out naturally curved oak crooks—trees with a 60-degree V-shape—to fabricate breast hooks for the bow of a 23-foot boat.11:15 To prevent checking in these dense, green timbers, he plans to steam or boil the wood to melt the lignin, which allows the material to dry without cracking.13:26 He also evaluates black locust for its rot resistance and hardness, noting that its tight annual rings indicate slow growth, which is preferable for structural integrity.16:04 The process involves grading logs by inspecting the end grain for ring orientation and checking for knots or imperfections that would compromise long, bendable pieces.6:14
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