224466,
Look forward to seeing your project here. Or at least post a link...
Ditto on the compliment to Basspond's BB sneakbox. Beauty.
Ditto boatdotbay's sentiment on the solid maples, I concur - not good choices for boats. Good in a 70 degree kitchen not so good with the elements. Ever seen a maple park bench?
Questions... what type/method of dory are you planning to build (laps-trake ply stitch and glue, planked siding)?
The woods you might use for each may be very different...
Marine grade plys can be incredibly strong even 1/4" to 3/8" when properly supported.
Mahogany is classic, and excellent in every way; strength to weight; decay resistance; joinery, etc.
Regarding your distaste for oak - I understand that in red oak which is a terrible boat-building wood, and has been horribly overused in schlock furnishings and kitchen cabinets all across America. But white oak is perhaps the best boat-building wood for many purposes. Especially ribs, stringers, and knees. Nothing says well built boat quite like steamed white oak ribs on a small skiff. Its golds also contrast nicely with redder mahoganies.
When you speak of light I'm not sure if you speak of color or weight... As far as contrast goes keep in mind mahogany can range from blonde to deep red the - redder the better for boat building. While Honduran mahogany can be very blonde, the African mahoganies like Khaya and Utile can be much redder and have tremendous contrast. Cypress and southern long leaf yellow pine are also an excellent boat building wood that should be available down there.
I personally would dodge hickory and pecan (almost indistinguishable from one another as they offer nothing that white oak doesn't do better and they beat the crap out of tooling). Also white oak and mahoganies take stains very well furthering the contrast battle...
Sorry about my rambling I like wood boats
