The study of traditional navigation and indigenous boats is not an easy task, especially for a field such as archaeology. In the first place, this is due to conservation problems that affect boat remains. Therefore, we propose a multidisciplinary methodology for their study, in which archaeology, history and ethnography mingle. This paper presents this methodology applied to the case of the materials used in the construction of these kinds of boats from Patagonia: rafts, dugouts and dalcas (plank canoes). Results indicate a preference for woods easy to work, with a medium mechanical strength and simple to dry as the laurel (Laurelia sempervirens (R. et P.) Tul.) and coigue (Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirbel) Oerst.).