Long stock for canoe building or restoration

[patrick corry]

As most of you who restore and build canoes will know, long lengths of material for inwales and outwales is a hard to come by commodity. I just located and bought a 5/4x8x19' piece of mahogany; fortunately quite local and accessible. Being somewhat of a novice to the different species of 'mahogany' I don't really know what I've bought but it will certainly work for some future project. There is a significant amount of this material available, both 1x (3/4") and 5/4 (1.25") thickness, and if anyone wants some I can bring it to the Assembly this coming summer. Perhaps one of you will know what I have here. By the way, I paid $80.00 for my piece which works out to $5.05 per board foot.

After a quick scrape with a card scraper and liberal application of alcohol to see color and figure:

 

[Todd F]

Patrick, as per my PM I am interested in what is available. Thanks

 

[patrick corry]

Additional photos as requested by Todd:

 

[pklonowski]

I'll posit a semi-educated guess at Khaya sp., aka African Mahogany, aka Ribbon Mahogany. Nice wood!

I could be wrong, and will defer to other ideas.

 

[Todd F]

Patrick, I'm your Huckleberry. Will hit you up PM but not hog the supplies if others are interested as well. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

 

[chris pearson]

I also am thinking African. Usually browner than Brazilian.

 

[dtdcanoes]

The wood brings back memories of the third boat I built in 1960 featuring a custom deck design using three different mahogany types. I still have the boat as it was my first courter and it was a success as I still have her too. The African developed a soft blondish tone , a very different aging than the other woods. It does typically show a lot of the ribbon character which changes in various light . Its beautiful wood against hondurus decking. That is a great find . You will find it a little harder to bend but it will yield with patience. Good luck.
Dave DeVivo

 

[1905Gerrish]

Find me those dimensions in White spruce free and clear! Almost impossible these days. Seems like a good buy for what you have.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

note that African is usually lighter and softer then Hunduras, be carefull if you bend it.

 

[samb]

I'd suggest it is sapele.
It looks good quarter sawn but in my experience it is a right pain to bend

Sam

 

[pklonowski]

I certainly wouldn't rule out Sapele, just didn't think of it at the time. I'm leaning toward Khaya sp. due to the ribbon grain figure. Probably need to look at it with a loupe.

Either way, it's stunning wood!