Substitute for Teak
 

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.

For example, jatoba (sometimes called Brazilian cherry), or some of
the lighter shades of ipe. Any boat people out there found a
substitute. I can get ipe for five bucks a bd. ft. and just a little
more for jatoba.

I hear that ipe is quite toxic but with all the house decks and docks
being built out of it someone must have found a way of getting around
the toxicity. One could always use a respirator for sanding and
sawing.

Any thoughts or experience appreciated.

Joe

Our entire boat inside and out is done in Narra. It grows in the Phillipines
where our boat was built. Very much like teak and costs about 1/3 as
much. Very atractive and weathers as well as teak.

Doug
s/v Callista

"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.

For example, jatoba (sometimes called Brazilian cherry), or some of
the lighter shades of ipe. Any boat people out there found a
substitute. I can get ipe for five bucks a bd. ft. and just a little
more for jatoba.

I hear that ipe is quite toxic but with all the house decks and docks
being built out of it someone must have found a way of getting around
the toxicity. One could always use a respirator for sanding and
sawing.

Any thoughts or experience appreciated.

Joe

"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

Just had our 42 Ft ketch's deck and coach-house roof teak replaced. We
are in Thailand. The total cost of the job including removal of all
deck hardware, removal of existing teak and replacing of same cost
US$7,000.
Almost worthwhile coming to Thailand for the job.
Lyn & Tony
S/V Ambrosia

Joe Bleau wrote:

Teak has become so hard to find and so outrageously expensive when it
is found

So where's all this inexpensive teak patio furniture coming from? Keep in mind
it has to go through a couple of layers of markup before being sold at Home
Depot...

Matt O.

"Matt O'Toole" wrote ...
Joe Bleau wrote:

Teak has become so hard to find and so outrageously expensive when it
is found

So where's all this inexpensive teak patio furniture coming from? Keep in
mind
it has to go through a couple of layers of markup before being sold at
Home
Depot...

Likely it's plantation-grown teak from Indonesia. It's teak, just from not
very old trees. If you're buying it (as furniture or as boards), you need to
be selective. And you might get a warm glow from knowing that it's not from
one of the very few trees left in forest.

Cheers

Bil

I know a charter captain who is happy with the products he got from
Plasteak.

Custom replacement handrails, etc... made out of plastic, no
maintenance.

http://www.plasteak.com

Mike.