Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Ipe instead of teak?
Posted by DelawareDan on 06/11/07 - 7:45 AM
#1
I'm thinking of building a rear seat for my 1969, 16'7" whaler. The idea is to incorporate a removable back that will double as a swim platform, with swinging brackets that will hook over the port gunwale. With the price of teak being so high, I was thinking of using ipe, which has a lot of good qualities. They have an oil finish for ipe that works fairly well when the wood is used for decks on houses (has to be renewed about every 6 mos.), but I wonder how it would stand up to the marine environment.
Have any of you used ipe on your boats? Would standard teak oils work on it?
Posted by Jeff on 06/11/07 - 8:18 AM
#2
Dan,
This guy (Yankee Marine) has been using IPE for all of his remade whaler parts for sometime now. Here are his
parts
Edited by Jeff on 06/11/07 - 8:21 AM
Posted by Bob Kemmler JR on 06/11/07 - 12:19 PM
#3
I am thinking of using Ipe planned down to 3/4" for the tops of my gunnells on my 21. I was thinking of using 3/8" teak, but not sure if thats enough meat to stand up to that application? Not that i won't beat the tar out of the first person to stand on it lol:D
Posted by DelawareDan on 06/11/07 - 5:46 PM
#4
Jeff, thanks for the link. Looked over his stuff and just may give my idea a try with IPE. It's a good weathering wood and is beautiful if it's kept up.
Bob, I don't know if 3/8 teak would be enough or not. Aren't the OEM teak ones 3/4"?
Posted by Bob Kemmler JR on 06/12/07 - 8:52 AM
#5
My Style 21 hull never had the teak gunnel caps, probably because the low sides made getting in and out of the boat easier and negated the need for the wood on the gunnell caps. At least thats my guess. It would more or less be to dress the caps up and save me some time trying to make them perfect.