Domestic cherry deck planking?

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by FRPWoody, Aug 7, 2005.

  1. FRPWoody
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: Batesville, Arkansas

    FRPWoody Junior Member

    I am wanting to replace a rotted aft deck on a 17' runabout. Honduras mahogany is hard to come by in my local. Looking for a sorce for Honduras or a mahogany substitute. My failure in this serch has led me to consider domestic cherry or walnut as a replacement lumber. Any experiece in this area would be appreciated. :?:
     
    FRPWoody, Aug 7, 2005
    #1
  2. chandler
    Joined: Mar 2004
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    Location: U.s. Maine

    chandler Senior Member

    I'm sure you could find mahogany with a little research. I'm also sure you could offsset the price by trading some of that cherry or walnut...Hard to come by most anywhere!
     
    chandler, Aug 11, 2005
    #2
  3. FRPWoody
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: Batesville, Arkansas

    FRPWoody Junior Member

    From the responce (or lack there of) it seems I'm out in left feild for considering this domestic wood for deck plank. The serch is still on for mahogany. I did however replace the rotted mahogany deck frame with oak. Thanks for the reply.
     
    FRPWoody, Aug 12, 2005
    #3
  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Cherry or walnut is fine unless you need to match the grain of the existing decking.
     
    gonzo, Aug 12, 2005
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  5. capt'n ron
    Joined: Jul 2005
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    Location: central wisconsin

    capt'n ron Junior Member

    frp, if your local high school has a good wood working shop, ask the instructor about getting some mahog. for you. anyone can buy from the school board, at least here in wis. they can. you can get real good prices( usually cost) from them as well. i rebuilt te deck on an old shell lake runabout years ago and i got the mahog. from the highschool shop teacher. if i remember correctly, i had to put the money up front, but at the price it was well worth it. the shop teacher just puts in an order for materials and hands the money over to the financial office at the time he puts in the order. allot of people don't realize you can do this, but it's an excellent source to get hard to find woods easily and at really good prices. the instructor will most likely be interested in your project, as well, mine was, and i ended up using the school's planer and shaper to ship-lap the material when it came in.
     
    capt'n ron, Aug 12, 2005
    #5
  6. FRPWoody
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: Batesville, Arkansas

    FRPWoody Junior Member

    Gonzo, I don't have to match any grain. There is little to salvage on top. Former owner bondoed the rot and painted over with some bright blue stuff that is harder than a brick bat.The bondo seems to have excelerated the rot. The only thing the blue stuff is hurting is my eyes. I'm glad to hear that these domestic hardwoods will work for this application. Thanks!
     
    FRPWoody, Aug 13, 2005
    #6

  8. FRPWoody
    Joined: Aug 2005
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    Location: Batesville, Arkansas

    FRPWoody Junior Member

    Capt'n ron, Local schools will be back in session a week from now. I'll check in to that. Haven't given up on mahogany yet.
     
    FRPWoody, Aug 13, 2005
    #7
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