white oak or mahogany?

Chris S.

Chris S.

Well-known member
I am almost at the point of needing to make ice runners and a skeg for my BBSB rebuild. I was thinking of either white oak or mahogany. Is there a difference in either for this application? Should I use one over the other? Thanks.
 
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I am almost at the point of needing to make ice runners and a skeg for my BBSB rebuild. I was thinking of either white oak or mahogany. Is there a difference in either for this application? Should I use one over the other? Thanks.
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I would use what was nicer looking/less expensive.
 
Chris, I can't help with what wood is better, butI would make a change in them. If it was me, I'd add a 1"x1" or what matches the thickness of the skeg keel, running from the skeg to the bow. I would top (bottom?) this and the ice runners with a strip of 1/8" thick alum. for a wear strip. Would protect the bow & bottom more than the original setup. A lot of builders use these wear strips, much cheeper than brass& harder than most any wood. Just an idea if ya havn't read about it yet. Lookn better all the time!
Dennis
 
Chris,

Either wood will work as long as you protect them as Dennis mentioned. If you decide to not use a wear strip, then go with the White Oak.

Oh, I think Dennis mistyped when he said 1"x 1", I am sure he meant 1/8" X 1" or what matches the width of your runner (as 1/8"X1 1/4" or 1/8"X 3/4" etc.).
 
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Dave, Chris, I must not have 'splaned myself well, I do that. My thought was add a wood 1"x1" (more or less to match the skeg) as a center line keel running from the fwd end of the skeg to the bow. Then covering the skeg& full length keel with the alum. 1/8" thick wear strip(width to match skeg& keel ). This would turn the "ice runners" into bilge keels, also to be protected with an alum. wear strip. The before pic. Chris had just showed ice runners& skeg~~ this screamed to me bottom& bow damage from groundings on shore or hitting a shallow bar when running. Not as it was, but just a thought I had for better protection of the bottom. On my build I have a full length center keel& a full length bilge keels on both sides with wear strips to help protect the bottom.
Dennis
 
Chris, I used ipe and hard plastic rub rail on mine. Did not even wear the paint breaking ice this past season...My box originally had 3 runners, 2 on the bow, 2 on the aft hull, and a skeg. I replaced the skeg as I intend to sail mine. For a rowing, poling, motoring box, I don't know if the skeg is of any value, other than to be in the way when rocking over a sandbar or getting off the mud? I think the runners iwll ensure it tracks well....
 
As for the wood Mahogany is more rot resistant than oak but either should work. You can get some half oval stainless strip from Mcmaster Carr. I've had that on the keel of my Devlin BB for 20 years and they haven't shown any wear yet.
 
Chris, everything is looking real nice. Let me know when you wanna do the maiden trip. I took my skeg off in my rebuild and left it off it seems to track fine you can always add it later if you it doesn't track well. If you wanna put it back on both will work fine, oak will probably be cheaper. My only suggestion to remember is make sure the ice runners run the complete length if they fall under the water the ice will eventually rip them off. Chris
 
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