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[Norman Castle]

I want to build a small airboat in which the deck will only cover the forward half of the hull i.e. the aft half will resemble a punt with a very low transom.  The sides will be 16" long and no more than 1.5" high, and I want to use solid wood for them rather than my usual ply.  There will be no bend in them. 

Would you use bass, obechi or spruce, and why would you choose that over the other two?

[SailorGreg]

Why not ply?  Some thin birch ply or liteply would be stronger than plain wood for a similar thickness.  Airboats do have a tendency to bump into things being inherently less controllable than conventional boats - at least that's what I have found 

But if you are sold on wood I would go for spruce for better strength.  But it will be heavier than a ply boat and airboats do need to be light for maximum fun and mayhem 

Greg

[TailUK]

A 3 layer lamination of thin aero ply would be very strong and thin. The middle layer could be cut out with holes to make it lighter.

[Netleyned]

Norman wants to use solid sides.
Why all the push to ply?


Ned

[tigertiger]

Will it be natural wook/varnish finish, or will she be color painted?


The grain effects will make a difference. Also coloration. Spruce grain is large, and would look non-scale. But spruce is cheap and strong.
Basswood is white. Obechi is, i think, yellow. Both should be strong enough.


Other factors, price, stock size available, and general availability to you.

[Norman Castle]

Painted 

[david48]

Hi Norman
If you decide on obechi I have some that might cut to your dimensions.
Send me a PM if I can be of help .
David

[Norman Castle]

Hi Norman
If you decide on obechi I have some that might cut to your dimensions.
Send me a PM if I can be of help .
David

That's very kind of you David but I'm now sorted.