RPM
ArboristSite Operative
"When the average non-professional has need for wood for boat work, he will all too often make a bee-line for the nearest building supply dealer or lumber yard. What he comes out with is some kiln-dried lumber, whose life has been cooked out in the drying process, whose natural oils have been leached away, and which is naturally receptive to dry rot. Kiln-dried lumber is dead, as compared to with air-dried, and it not suitable for boat use-if you want a first class job."
from, Boat Carpentry, Hervey Garrett Smith
Like Brmorgan, I have alot of access to nice Douglas-fir, the problem I've had with air drying is that it wil almost always 'bleed' pitch after you have finished your project. Kilning seems to be the only way to 'set' the pitch in doug-fir....or is there another way?