fresh cut douglas fir

[lenten]

i was thinking about making a small cuddy for my boat----plan was douglas fir framing---plywood top------i can buy fresh sawn douglas fir from a local saw mill but how long would i need to keep it to season/dry out---------any wood experts out there-----thanks

 

[Praxinoscope]

I seem to remember from my dim and distant past that to natural ‘air dry’ a softwood such as douglas fir can take up to about two years, most softwoods you buy today are kiln dried which speeds up the process considerably but purists may argue that air dried timber is superior.

 

[Plum]

i was thinking about making a small cuddy for my boat----plan was douglas fir framing---plywood top------i can buy fresh sawn douglas fir from a local saw mill but how long would i need to keep it to season/dry out---------any wood experts out there-----thanks

The trouble with that plan is that a proportion of the timber will suffer from splitting and movement from the seasoning process so it may be cheeper to visit a woodyard where you can select the straightest clear/knotfree lengths of seasoned timber so you waste less and can start work now rather than in 9 months time.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Spuddy]

Usual rule of thumb is a year for every inch thickness. Stack under cover and slather thick paint on end grain to reduce splits and shakes.
Might still be too wet for modern adhesives so could bring it indoors for a bit after that but dunno how long

 

[lenten]

thanks for all replies----i have just bought some douglas fir for floor boards for a small outdoor stage-----its beautiful to look at ------most boards 100% clear of knots---------------------------------------size----3 metres x 225x38 mm price per board local £13---------same size from Robbins timber---£144--------if i decide to go ahead ----will probably bite the bullet and go to Robbins