Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | jonj - 4/18/2014 12:50 PM
Cedar would work, but I believe treated pine would last longer especially with the .60 (deeper) treatment. Stainless or galvanized fasteners should be used because of the application. Although cedar is rot resistant, it is very absorbent and quite a bit softer than pine. I would be concerned with fasteners stripping out. If you have ever tried to frame something cedar, you understand what I'm talking about.
I wouldn't worry about fasterners ripping through cedar. If they were fastened with screws or nails as in framing then yes maybe a concern. I used 3/8" carriage bolts with large washers. It would take an incredible force to pull them through an inch (leftover from countersinking the bolt heads) of wood. Mine have been in use for 6 years. The carpet should be replaced but the bunks themselves are going strong.
If the chemical used to treat boards is corrosive to aluminum, and all I have between that and my aluminum hull is a wet piece of carpet, I'd be sticking to cedar. I don't see any reason to take a chance.
Edited by curleytail 4/19/2014 10:35 AM
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