Mahogany

[Trammel canoe]

We are having a hard time finding 17 ft mahogany boards to make gunwales for our Old Town HW. No one in our area seems to be able to get anything longer than 10 ft. Any suggestions for suppliers that would be willing to ship?

Thanks,
Trina

 

[Splinter]

Where?

This is very hard to come by. Where do you live?

 

[Blue Viking]

I found a 20' length of 5/4 mahogany decking and was able to get 5 strips out of it..It is not "true" Mahogany but is of that family...Others have posted having trouble getting the bend without splitting but I am sure I read that someone was succesful....There will be others to jump in with suggestions I am sure...but..."If it looks like mahogany, bends like mahogany, and takes a varnishing like mahogany...its mahogany"

 

[Trammel canoe]

I live just southeast of Bowling Green, KY. I tried to order from Old Town, but they said it would be at least 4 mths and suggested I make my own. Maybe 4 mths is so long after all. Anyway, we will continue our search.

Thanks,
Trina

 

[Michael Grace]

Try Pennington Hardwoods... not right around the corner, but 100 miles or so ain't too bad for the wood you need. They primarily promote themselves as a flooring specialist, but they also carry a variety of hardwood lumber including mahogany.

Pennington Hardwoods, Inc.
1015 Progress Way
Sellersburg, IN 47172
Phone: 888-736-9663
Phone: 812-248-4700
Fax: 812-248-4705
E-Mail: Quality@PenningtonHardwoods.com
Web Address: www.PenningtonHardwoods.com

 

[Trammel canoe]

Thanks. I'll check into it.

Trina

 

[ArkMaker]

I am in need of a source for the same thing; Mahoany Outwales. Anyone know of a source in the Northeast Florida area?
Thanks,
Rich

 

[Blue Viking]

Try Intercity Lumber
5302 Causeway Bld.
Tampa
(813) 626-05232

They are advertsing Mahogany in stock

 

[Michael Grace]

Best lumber yard in FL is Alva Hardwoods, but they're even well south of Tampa... a long way from you. But the're really got some nice stock. They cater to the boatbuilding community.

Michael... on the road with canoes!

 

[ArkMaker]

Thanks, I will check with both places.
Now here is a question; Would it take away form the restoration if I were to use a different type of wood in place of mahogany. I have had really good luck with Western Red Oak in the past on outwales for the small boats I have built. It is readily available in this area. Since the curve of the OT Guide is not all that drastic, I am not worried about cracking. Being a 1966 model it does not call out which woods were used in building.
Rich

 

[John Greer]

Have you considered scarfing to get the length you need? I've done several and you're hard pressed to find where the scarf is. Have had no problem with strength.

 

[Trammel canoe]

We have thought about it. This is our first attempt at a restoration and don't know how well our scarfing would turn out. If we are unable to get the length we need, we might have to give it a try.

Thanks,
Trina

 

[Fitz]

Scarfing

I wouldn't hesitate. Old Town scarfed long lengths. I have a 40's Guide with a finger joint on the outwales. I just scarfed some mahogany for an OTCA and it is much better than what was on the canoe to begin with.

Fitz