Black locust for a center board

[bart]

The center board on my dory will be about 19 by 40 by 7/8. Gardner recommends locust in many parts of the boat because he says it's stable enough to use green. The center board though is a part that can not warp or it will bind in the trunk. I've read a lot about the wood but nothing that could tell me if it is right for this application. I'm also wondering if anyone out there has tried to bend it. How long would you recommend leaving it in the steam box?
Thanks guys, Bart

[sawcutmill]

I am not convinced that a centerboard of locust is an acceptable application,but it is VERY dimensionally stable,compression strength is 20,000PSI, weighs 5.5 lb/bd/ft,both values are twice that of white oak!
In regards to steaming, it is generally accepted practice to steam 1 hour for every inch of thickness.so if you have a 2x3, steam it three hours! the immediately put it to the bending jig, or whatever you are doing with it, as it dries it takes the shape.
ps- i made a centerboard out of plywood for a peapod, made sure it was at least 1/8 " skinneir than the sides, for a total of 1/4", then i cpes it! It swelled up and got stuck pretty permanently, about to try to get it un jammed.It was marine grade ply too, well sealed and so forth, but water is water, and will do its damndest to undo you handiwork!

[Thad Van Gilder]

I have used bent locust as frames, and it does well, although, when dry I really had to pre drill for the rivets. I split a frame finding that out.

It is more sensitive to splitting while bending than oak. You gotta pick really, REALLY straight grain pieces.

-Thad

[windfall]

I us elocust for for just about evertyhting I can. CB no problem. With any CB it is best to use verticle grain for the obvious concerns of warp. Since the whole thing gets through bolted (usualy) you can use many narrow boards to insure stabilty. Bends great, stiffer than oak, and seems to need a little less time in the box. That awful green color goes away with uv exposure and turns a nice honey tone.