Centerboard Wood

[trial1]

Hey all -

I have recently acquired an old DS I (approximately '59 vintage) and all the encompassing repair fun. My new treasure was deprived of a centerboard and I am now beginning the creation process. I have done a fair amount of research thus far, but have failed in finding definitive information regarding the type of wood to use for the centerboard core.

Right now I am leaning towards Redwood because I can get it rather easily and cheap.

I have also though of using a Cedar but I am not sure as to which type of Cedar would be best.

Spruce crossed my mind as another possible solution but I have only been able find construction grade thus far.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks.

[Peter McMinn]

Spruce, I think, is the wood of choice.

[swiftsail]

I built my last one out of western red ceder. I cameout really nice but in hindsight I would have put strip of harder wood on the leading edge.

Steve

[trial1]

A harder wood for the leading edge - good idea. I will incorporate that.

Has your board taken serious abuse?

[swiftsail]

The abuse comes from over rotating the board forward into the front edge of the trunk.

Steve

[Gus]

Check out this site.

http://www.philsfoils.com/Designs/DS.html

Gus
DS 11100

[Bob Hunkins]

Dave Misunas wrote a great article on the subject, in case you haven't read it. I have a copy available here:

http://www.bobhunkins.com/mt-archives/000020.html

I used spruce in my boards, mostly because my boat is heavy. If your boat is light, a heavier wood would be better, so long as you don't exceed the 25 lb limit.

The spruce I found was mast grade, quarter sawn, with very tight rings so I didn't need to do the trick of ripping the piece and alternating the grain sections.

[trial1]

Gus - I have checked out phil's foils a few times now but would rather craft the centerboard myself (mostly because I enjoy the challenge). Thanks for the link anyways.

Bob - The Dave M. article posted on your website was the catalysts for me finally deciding I could/would build one myself. The PDF's on your site have been extremely helpful. Thanks for those.

Unfortunately, I have no idea how much my boat weighs since I have only just started working on it. I was going to use an ash or maple for the leading edge based upon swiftsail's recommendation and a softer wood for the the rest of the board to save money/weight. In the end, I wasn't able to find decent spruce in my area and decided to make the whole thing out of ash (found a good price on ash). I am going to be really close on the weight limit of 25lbs. - I plan to replace a section of the ash with foam prior to fiberglassing if I don't make it.