Any woodworkers here? Teak substitutes?

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:36 am

I just posted this on the B31 forum... I am going to be reduilding the interior of my B33 FBC this winter.. will be stripping the main salon back to the bulkheads and hull, and starting over. Will try to keep the small amount of existing wood trim around the steps down to the lower level, as it is bent and not easy for me to replace. I have a full woodworking shop and all the tools I need to do pretty much any usual woodworking task. I also will be making a new door to replace the original aluminum and glass slider. Later I am considering covering boards around the cockpit. Teak these days is priced so high it is out of sight for most mere mortals, (although I realize if you own a Bertram you probably don't consider yourself a "mortal"!). Present prices for small quantities are in the $15/board foot range. I have spoken to quite a few hardwood suppliers and several have suggested teak substitutes. I also suspect a lot of the boats built in the past 10 years or so which have teak looking trim really have other woods which look like teak. Have any of you here any experience with any of these woods, and if so what are your opinions? So far I have been referred to "Afromosia" and "Iroko", with a couple of suggestions to consider "Balau" and Nyatoh". Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:19 am

Frank, I haven't worked with any of the exotic woods. Are they that much cheaper? I have read that the Iroko is a very hard wood. It is stringy & gives off splinters easily. I believe it is also high in silicon content, so carbide tools will also be dulled more quickly. Al

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:48 am

Frank, here are three companies I have looked into for marine wood in the past. www.maritimewoodproducts.com/ www.tapeease.com/Home.htm www.worldpanel.com/

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:04 am

Ed, The tapeease.com link was the one I was looking for this morning. Guess what! Have to spell it right. I was trying tapease.com. Thanks for the correct link. Al

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:39 pm

Your welcome Al.

Mike_Lenz · Post by **Mike_Lenz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:31 pm

Al, You can also try Highland Hardwoods in N.H. http://www.highlandhardwoods.com/ Mike....

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:57 pm

Mike, Long time no hear. How'd the first season with the 35 go? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Mike_Lenz · Post by **Mike_Lenz** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:20 am

Hey Doug, Thanks for asking…… Everything went great, no problems, I was able to find indoor storage for her this year so she will be out of the Lake Ontario snow. If any of you ever get up to the Sodus Point NY area (between Rochester and Syracuse NY) I’d be glad to take you for a scenic ride along the shores of the lake, not to mention Sodus Point is a cool little town and all the bars within walking distance. Let me know if you guy’s are going to get together for a beer again, I’d like to join you all again. Mike.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 4:45 am

Thanks to you all.. I very much appreciate the contact info.. very useful! I am not sure yet exactly what I will be doing.. I am considering some teak trim around the new sliding teak door I will make for the cabin (after I repair the rot and delamination in the aft bulkhead), and maybe eventually teak covering boards around the cockpit, and some teak trim around the flybridge doors. If I do this nothing will be varnished, just a lot of teak oil. I am also considering using a teak substitute in the cabin where it won't be subjected to heavy sunlight. I am trying to balance the lower cost of mahogany which then needs to be stained and varnished with the higher cost of teak, which simply needs to be possibly stained and just oiled. I suppose having a boat is like being married.. everything is a compromise! As far as the interior.. I have just found a lead on a couple of sheets of teak veneered thin plywood at a good price from a local contact who bought it a couple of years ago but then sold his boat before he renovated it.. this might be a start for a teak trimmed interior. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

tunawish · Post by **tunawish** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:37 am

I know this may be a little late but I own a custom cabinet shop here in Peabody Ma.. There is plantation teak but that's mainly used for construction..Decks etc.. most teak substitutes we've seen do not seem to be as stable...they twist like a fork when you cut them ... Mahogany is a great choice and the alternatives to Honduras mahogany are very reasonable. Supele has a darker tone similar to teak and is available also in plywood form so cabinetry could be made to match.. Honduras is no longer available in plywood or veneer form... We usually keep 4/4 and 5/4 teak in stock. Teak plywood can be had in a day or two and I would be happy to pass on our discount to you local guys. We are unlimited in what we can produce, but keep in mind curved, one and two part runs for small parts get pricey due to the jigs required! In addition to making parts for my own use for over 20 years we have done countless projects for other boaters in the area. If I can be of assistance to anyone please give me a call or e-mail at @ www.tunawishrp1@aol.com Most solid teak parts can be shipped, no problem. Plywood would only be available for pick up for you locals.. Ray

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:09 am

Tunawish... Would like to talk with you about teak and teak substitutes one day.. will drop you an email to exchange phone numbers. Does your business have a web site? As all the North Shore guys know, I used to live in Beverly, but moved here to NC three years ago.. loved the North Shore 8 months a year but hated the crappy winter weather. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:13 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy loved the North Shore 8 months a year but hated the crappy winter weather. Then its a good thing you're not here now! Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:45 am

I thought about going fishing today but decided it was to cold. It's cold in NC right now. I'm from NC and like it here but wouldn't mind a second home in Florida during the winter. The main problem with Florida is property taxes and insurance. Buzz buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morhead City, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:48 am

quote:Originally posted by buzzk It's cold in NC right now. How cold? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:09 am

Gee.. the other night it got way down to 38F, but right now it is 54F on my back porch! I think I will take a walk down to the boat! Brrrrrr! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC