Tony Hunt

So good it is heartbreaking. Will I ever be able to make joints that perfectly? 😞

Fascinating reading. Thanks!

Exquisite.

You're welcome Peter, I hope you find what you're after.

Hi Peter

A quick Google search seems to give plenty of options for hoop pine near Brisbane.

https://hurfordwholesale.com.au/

versacetimbers.com.au

bretts.com.au

finlayson.com.au

gardetimber.com.au

wilsontimbers.com

gilltimber.com.au

https://www.creativetimbers.com.au/

To my surprise, I couldn't find any business selling recycled NZ kauri floorboards in Brisbane - they all seem to prefer hardwood flooring. However, there was a nice looking pack on Gumtree up near Maleny - https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kenilworth/building-materials/kauri-pine-floorboards/1219815746

Good luck!

How does Alaskan Yellow Cedar compare to the other legendary boat-building timber of the Pacific North-west, namely Port Orford Cedar?

I've never seen either In Australia but I'd love to try them.

I don't know if it is still the case, but in the past I've brought timber samples into Australia in my airline luggage, had it inspected by the quarantine guys and it has sailed through.  Of course, it was cleaned milled timber.  Rough logs would certainly fail to pass.

Roughly whereabouts are you located Peter?  

Hoop Pine (often marketed as "Arakaria") is another pale native timber that is pretty nice to work, tight even grain, especially if you select a nice piece. It should be possible to get it from good timber merchants in Queensland. Sort of a poor mans Huon Pine (to which it is distantly related) and sadly without the gorgeous smell that Huon Pine has when you're working it.

If you can find a build products recycler that stocks kauri floorboards, that is also superb, as the recycled boards are often 100 year old NZ kauri, especially the 6 inch wide ones. The only problem is it gets a little brittle with age so it might need care if used for planking. Hoop Pine is probably a better bet for that.

I agree with Druxey, captive nuts are the way to go. Useful for a whole range of reasons later on.

Wonderful model Alan. I'm enjoying reading David Cordingly's book "The Billy Ruffian" right now (about halfway through) so it adds an extra dimension to the whole thing.

You're very welcome Pat. The world needs more models like this one!

This whole model is a wonderful piece of both research and craftsmanship. As a fellow Australian I love that you're building a model of such local relevance, too.

Those photos are a wonderful resource for what you're doing.  So rich in detail.  I could look at them for hours, and every time I look I see something else new and interesting! 

Beautiful work. And what a shapely hull form!