TOPIC: keel stringer wood options

I have to replace the 12' keel stringer (the only stringer) in my 59 RedFish. What is the best wood to go with? A Softwood like pine or spruce? Or a hardwood like oak or mahogany? I do not want to use ply as I have a fair bit of shaping to do. Thoughts?

Thank you.

Andrew

Andrew I would say that the original was probably Spruce but I have to admit I'm partial to Oak, White Oak to be exact. That's what they used in most of the old woodies for keels and stringers.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I have just been doing some reading and it has been suggested that hardwood is not such a good option if you are encasing it in glass. The author suggests it expands more if it gets wet. I would think it is stronger than softwood though. The old stringer that I removed almost has a balsa like quality to it. Very soft.
Andrew

cawrsfm, i would agree with bob. white oak is strong and is really rot resistance. just get a good straight grained board to start with. greg

Hmmm, well I don't know the Redfish's that well but I suppose it really could be balsa since it's encased in fiberglass anyway. Does it had the balsacore floor? If so then it probably was balsa. If it were me I'd use the spruce then, lighter than Oak but still stiffer. Technically it shouldn't be getting wet anyway.

Bob

Use only heartwood of whatever species you choose. The sapwood is not decay resistant, even in decay resistant species such as white oak.

Andreas

Doug fir sealed is a good choice

again, just make sure it is all heartwood. Heartwood and sapwood in DFL is easy to distinguish. Sapwood is white-cream and heartwood is pinkish.

Andreas