Bulkheads... How 'bout using some 3/4" Red-Oak?

[Starboardyacht]

Cheers all!
I've started replacing bulkheads on a 1978 Quickstep 24. I have lots of beautiful clear 1x6 red-oak planks that I want to use...
I plan to install grain horizontally. These are small bulkheads about 30" tall & 12" wide.
What are the problems with red-oak on a boat? Moisture, swelling , bugs?
Regards,
Danville

[psk125]

Moisture is a problem. Oak is not particularly water-resistant. It turns black when it gets wet, and then starts to rot. In the keel, where white oak (though sometimes red, though not as much) is often used, it gets slathered with plenty of paint, and no one cares if it turns a funky color where they can't see it. In the keel there's usually enough beef in the timber to last a good while even if moisture does eventually (and inevitably) get to it. Oak is also rather dense, so heavier than another type of wood would be. Weight in the keel is generally considered ok. Putting weight up high - like in a bulkhead - is not usually suggested, though it might not make much difference in the amount you'd be using. For the forces involved in a 24' boat, half inch plywood would be a lot lighter though, and probably easier to scribe and fit. It might even be stronger, unless you're planning to build a studwall behind the planks to attach them to and support them. Does the bulkhead support the mast? Horizontal planks would not be a good support for that. You could paint or veneer over the ply to suit. You would have to paint the oak. Water would get in under any varnish and turn it into a splotchy black and brown mess to look at.

[Cheechako]

Red Oak rots readily, absorbs water and turns ugly black from water. The biggest part of your job is labor, buy the right materials.

[Starboardyacht]

Thank you for the well thought out reply... I shall heed your words of wisdom.... No Oak...
Really did not want to use plywood & G10 is too costly... It's only 2 pieces @ 12"x28" any other suggestions?

[Cheechako]

12" wide boards are a bit harder to find than they used to be. Most trees are third growth etc and harvested too small now days to provide boards that big. I can see where boards vs ply are easier.. no edge mouldings etc. Are these glassed in, bolted in or..? If these are just bolted in type on a 24 ft powerboat... you could use the oak I suppose. Cut, dry fit and finish them and then coat them outside the boat with a layer of epoxy, varnish over that. Then bolt them in. Not a huge job to replace them if they get crappy in a few years, not too wet int he boat anyway right? Otherwise...if these are glassed in, some type of mahoghany, maybe even a nice piece of luan, white oak, clear fir. Plywood is best, but more work maybe. They will all need a coat of finish on them. Hard to say what to use as they are all usually plywood.

[Starboardyacht]

Going to Woodcrafters tomorrow to look at some African mahogany
Here's a shot of the starboard bulkhead, thinking about leaving that 1/2" slot from old b-h to slide new into...

[Lojanica]

Cypress

[Starboardyacht]

Dang that's it!
If I can find 2@12"x 28"
Good call Tanks...

[Ketchgould]

Put in marine grade plywood and then rip 3/16 strips of wood to attach in strips. 3/4" plywood sheet $65. $5 for poly glue. $12 for stainless 1/2" brads. Mine is mahogany over ply. Strips have a rabbet to cover each other and the brad.

[Ketchgould]

[Starboardyacht]

KetchG, the C32 is a beautiful boat....
1. Marine plywood in my town is $125 & I need less than half a sheet
2. it looks like crap unless you do what you did with lam & teak (Looks great you're better than I am)
3. It rots, I'm replacing "marine plywood "
4. Kinda want something cool & beautiful

Just got back from woodcraft, No 12 inch cypress however,
They have been beautiful piece of 12" x 13/16" x 6' Purple Heart !
$50 yowzer, yowzer!

Anybody ever work with Purple Heart for chain plates?

[Starboardyacht]

One big Question about Purple Heart for chain plates.... Will it take/accept epoxy hull tabbing ..?

[Lojanica]

Purple Heart not well. Better to bolt. Need to drill. Does not take screws well without threading.

[Starboardyacht]

Will this work?
Cut Purpleheart to size then epoxy a series of 1" or 2" square cleats along the hull on both sides of new B-Head,
then drill & thrubolt...

[Lojanica]

Yes but it may crack. Strong like steel but brittle.