Softwood for boat trim

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yachtorion

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I'm replacing most of the old and knackered interior trim in my boat. I'm pondering the use of relatively cheap and easy to work softwood, stained a nice colour, instead of more expensive and environmentally sensitive hardwood.

Some of the more "hidden" joinery on the boat (battens in the engine bay etc) seem to be pine and don't seem to have suffered.

Big mistake or sensible economy?
 
Soft wood is fine for hidden joinery, but does suffer from problems due to hard and soft grain, tightly packed grain around knots, plus knots can ouse resin. Hardwood does not have these problems, plus it is more resistant to rot. If you want to use a cheaper wood then consider using either birch or beech.
 
salar said:
Larch is used in boatbuilding and housebuilding. Cheap, strong and technically a softwood. For visible work I would paint wood or use a hardwood, anything else would look naff. IMHO of course.
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Technically Larch is a hardwood ......as indeed Balsawood is .
 
Western red cedar is a good one -very rot proof but easily damaged by rubbing.
Leave the kiln dried mass produced rubbish alone!
 
If you are able to source some then parana pine has very pleasing variation of colour in its grain and is usually knot free. Old stair treads and windowsills were my source some years back obtained from a demolition contractor stock, from old naval buildings in Portsmouth. This stock was then piled in a large shed at Hardway, and you took your pick of various types of timber. I got piece of teak here 11/4" thick for transom of a National 12 to replace the rotted one!!
 
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