KLC Lewis wrote:
"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Thinking of putting ratlines on my lower shrouds. Whats a good wood?
Thinking maybe Doug fir.
The first step will be a sheer pole. Up 16 inches will be a prestretched
dacron rope rung. Another rope rung 16 inches up from that.
Then a wood step, the 2 more ropes etc.
Any thoughts?
Gordon

Doug Fir is prone to rot and termites. Granted that termites would be a
relatively insignificant problem, teak is still superior. Brian Toss gives a
good outline of ratlines in his "Rigger's Apprentice," if memory serves.




Which brings to mind a question...

Is the U.S. still boycotting Burma teak?


Richard

"cavelamb" wrote in message
m...
KLC Lewis wrote:
"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Thinking of putting ratlines on my lower shrouds. Whats a good wood?
Thinking maybe Doug fir.
The first step will be a sheer pole. Up 16 inches will be a
prestretched dacron rope rung. Another rope rung 16 inches up from that.
Then a wood step, the 2 more ropes etc.
Any thoughts?
Gordon

Doug Fir is prone to rot and termites. Granted that termites would be a
relatively insignificant problem, teak is still superior. Brian Toss
gives a good outline of ratlines in his "Rigger's Apprentice," if memory
serves.


Which brings to mind a question...

Is the U.S. still boycotting Burma teak?

Even if they were because it would seem a bit pointless anyway since Burma
teak has been very hard to find for some time.
..Most of the teak now comes from elsewhere-mostly Thailand

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

Even if they were because it would seem a bit pointless anyway since Burma
teak has been very hard to find for some time.
.Most of the teak now comes from elsewhere-mostly Thailand


Also South America, where it is farmed.

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

Even if they were because it would seem a bit pointless anyway since
Burma teak has been very hard to find for some time.
.Most of the teak now comes from elsewhere-mostly Thailand


Also South America, where it is farmed.
I did not know that.
It makes a good quid pro quo for the transport of S.American rubber plants
now grown in Malaysia

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

Even if they were because it would seem a bit pointless anyway since
Burma teak has been very hard to find for some time.
.Most of the teak now comes from elsewhere-mostly Thailand


Also South America, where it is farmed.
I did not know that.
It makes a good quid pro quo for the transport of S.American rubber plants
now grown in Malaysia


It's that "Global Economy" at work, I guess. The South American trees are
harvested between 20-40 years old, and I don't know how their quality
compares with old-growth Asian teak, but I'd have to guess "poorly." Then
again, I'm not an arborist.

On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:07:48 +0100, "Edgar"
wrote:


"cavelamb" wrote in message
om...
KLC Lewis wrote:
"Gordon" wrote in message
...
Thinking of putting ratlines on my lower shrouds. Whats a good wood?
Thinking maybe Doug fir.
The first step will be a sheer pole. Up 16 inches will be a
prestretched dacron rope rung. Another rope rung 16 inches up from that.
Then a wood step, the 2 more ropes etc.
Any thoughts?
Gordon

Doug Fir is prone to rot and termites. Granted that termites would be a
relatively insignificant problem, teak is still superior. Brian Toss
gives a good outline of ratlines in his "Rigger's Apprentice," if memory
serves.


Which brings to mind a question...

Is the U.S. still boycotting Burma teak?

Even if they were because it would seem a bit pointless anyway since Burma
teak has been very hard to find for some time.
.Most of the teak now comes from elsewhere-mostly Thailand

Thai teak actually comes from Burma or Cambodia as there hasn't been
any appreciable amount of teak cut in Thailand for years - it was all
cut down.

I have a brother-in-law who was in the "timber business" some 40 years
ago and at that time the "timber business" consisted of a bunch of
scouts (B-in-L) running around the country looking for trees. When
they found a single teak tree they attempted to negotiate a price from
the owner and if the price was favorable they then sold the tree on to
a mill.
Cheers,

Bruce