"Joe Bleau" wrote in message
...
Teak has become so hard to find and so outrageously expensive when it
is found that I am wondering if there are not other woods that could
be used for exterior marine purposes.


I used IROKO for both interior and exterior trim in my Ingrid 38. It is from
Africa and (I'm told) is a common, although inferior, substitute for teak in
European boats. It doesn't weather as well as teak and the color when
varnished is a darker. Also, what I got didn't bend well since the grain is
rather mixed.

The last I purchased, from Edensaw of Seattle/Port Townsend was $4.26/FB and
was available in rough sawn 4/4 and thicker in up to 14" wide. Be advised,
this stuff seems to be kiln dried (again, not suitable for bending).

Edensaw also has a good stock of teak and the price, in the mid '90s was
about $12/BF.

As much as I loved the teak on my last boat, a Cheoy Lee Clipper 33, I can't
say I miss it and the maintenance, at all. Teak is beautiful (on someone
else's boat)!!

The only bright work I have topside is my 3.5 inch cap rail and I maintain
that with an annual heavy coat of Cetol.

My opinion and experience, FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions