Woods similar to Teak

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:22 pm

Hello all

What wood would be very similar to Teak in its properties and appearance and found in North America. I have a project or two in mind requiring such a type of wood for my 25 foot Shark but Teak in this area of the world is to say the least "very expensive"

Thank You for your Help!

Regards

Bruce

Post by **Tim** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:06 pm

I think perhaps the most commonly heard-of "teak alternative" is ipe, a Brazillian hardwood that has many of the same properties, but costs much less. It is typically used as exterior decking for porches, etc., and should be fairly easy to come by at the lumberyard.

I've never used it myself, so can't much speak for workability, actual appearance, etc. I still like mahogany best for exterior boat trim, but you need to varnish it in order to ensure its durability.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:57 pm

Ipe, Pau Laupe, and a few other kissing-cousin rainforest hardwoods are, as Tim says, conveniently and economically available as outdoor decking material, but I really hesitate to use them "interchangeably" with teak.
These woods are freakishly dense. To use them for an odd bit of trim here and there might be ok, but to use them as a deck-surfacing material would add a considerable amount of weight to the boat.
Another consequence of this density is that the workability is just HELLISH. Be prepared to throw away whatever drill bits and saw blades you use at the end of the job. Planes and chisels will need constant sharpening.
don't bother trying to bend it. just don't.

Despite all this, though, it does have its applications. If I ever do that mythical cockpit grate, I'll probably use it.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:49 pm

I have used Ipe for quite a number of boat projects. It is not that hard to work with. Good carbide blades will handle it pretty well. I did a whole deck for a client a couple of years ago and was all the while on the lookout for the straightest grained 16FT board in the lumber load. This was culled out for use as gunnels on a Cape Dory 14 that I was restoring. I bent the gunnels cold with no problems at all. These woods are a bit darker and denser than teak. Maybe a little more coarse too. That can be taken care of when finishing. One of the problems is limited widths. When I made a spare drop board for a Typhoon to mount a compass I had to glue up two pieces. Given their density these woods may be better than teak for some uses. They sure are a lot cheaper for any use, Steve.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:46 am

Is ipe the same as Ironwood? I've also heard ironwood callled Epay, but I think that may be a brand name of an importer.

Ironwood is the only wood that sinks in water.

Post by **Tim** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:57 am

"Epay" is the phoenetic pronounciation of ipe.

jollyboat · Post by **jollyboat** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:09 pm

Howdy Gang - I found a 'Brazillian Mahogany' that is imported into the States as a finished decking material (as opposed to stock lumber) that is very reasonably priced. It is not as hard as Ipe but is harder than Honduras Moghogany. I have found that it does not like to bend very much but for detail work such as wooden boom end plugs, risers of all sorts, boathook chaulks, cabinate works, cleats, ceiling strips, ect it is very nice. Takes varnish or Poly very well. my 2 cents.

Shoalcove · Post by **Shoalcove** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:34 pm

I see that you are located in PEI. If you get to Moncton, London Lumber (near the Airport) carries a variety of hardwood that may suit including Cumaru also known as Brazilian Teak. I haven't used any but depending on the project it may suit. You can Google it for more info. Also they have some domestics if oak or cherry would suit. Butternut is also nice below.Eastern Hardwoods in Dartmouth carry teak and just about every thing else and are very helpful.
I'm new to the forum and don't have the experience most of these folks seem to, but as a Maritimer fixing up a CheoyLee35, I'm getting adept and finding stuff. Best of luck.

Robert The Gray · Post by **Robert The Gray** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:56 pm

In my experience with both Ipe' and Teak I would say that nothing I have seen approaches the amount of "oiliness" in teak. It seems that what helps teak resist weathering is not just its firmness but the natural oils abundant throughout the wood. Ipe and other hardwoods do not seem to have this slimy quality to the surface and therefore must have some oil applied ifthe surface is not to become to rough.

r