Can I use oak instead of teak?

[rbk]

Ive had good luck getting Cumaru (Brazilian teak). As close to the real thing as you can get and relatively cheap.

[SV Siren]

I have used Ipe in the past, worked well. Currently, I am using mahogany, and have developed a friendship with a local wooden speedboat restoration shop, that will order what I need, and sell it to me at cost..

[dadster3]

Mahogany, Honduran especially, but it is very expensive. It can be hard to find because for import in the US I think it has to come from a sustainable forest. Mahogany over white oak frames is classic.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by siamese

Can you use stainless steel or Starboard in this particular application? Just asking because they're always my first choices for exterior stuff.

Yep, love wood trim in the cabin where it's easy to keep up.

Exterior, wood is just a pain to keep up.

[riverrat51]

25 years ago I replaced a teak swim platform that was severely eroded from time and lack of attention. I used those 5/4 plastic deck boards, available most Home Stores, after 25 years it still looks like new, with the same lack of attention.

[Cruise4booze]

I have teak in NJ for decking and trim. I have hundreds of 2”x1/2” boards that you could laminate with epoxy. Have a thousand 1 1/2” x 1” x50” for general trim and laminating work. Great for cockpit grates too…

[Sirzones]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Where are you on the east coast that you can’t get teak? It’s readily available…..but you’re not going to find it at lowes. You have to go to a high-end specialty lumber yard. You can have pre-made handrails shipped to you, too. Really - where are you located? I’ll find you a place….

Matt

I’m actually in Newfoundland, Canada

[MicHughV]

when I was building my boat, I came across this wood as a teak substitute.

Angelique:

Angelique is beautiful, highly resistant to decay, and durable; it's the perfect choice for decking. This sustainably sourced, tropical hardwood is tough and strong with stellar weatherability properties. TerraMai Water Reclaimed woods have been standing in reservoirs in the tropics, perfectly preserved for decades.

[Ken Z]

Mahogany would be my choice, easy to work looks good varnish, if oak white.

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by Sirzones

Any other wood you guys would recommend ? Maybe birch or maple

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

On the East coast you should be able to find Black Locust.

Oak is not a good choice IMO, for the reasons others mentioned. No to birch or maple as well.

I'm going to second what Bowdrie said. Black locust would be an excellent choice. In my experience: if oiled or varnished it will be darker/not as golden as teak, but if left natural takes on a nice silver color similar to teak. Be advised: it is a very hard wood and you will need sharp tools.

Here is Wisconsin it is used a lot by ginseng growers as fence posts; they have a saying: "When you set a post, put a rock on the top. When the rock crumbles, the post has 20 years more life." The wood is (was?) a subject of study by University Wisconsin; they were trying to determine why it is so rot resistant, and if there is a way to duplicate that resistance, to make a more environmentally friendly wood preservative.

As someone else mentioned, you probably won't find a suitable wood at the local home improvement store. You need to look around for a custom supplier. They can be found, and you can order, online.

I personally try and stay away from the 'exotic' tropical woods, destruction of the rain forests and all that.

[oleman]

Osageorange also know as bodock is a very strong, heavy and durable wood.
Not very common but was once used as wagon axles as a replacement for cast iron. It was also used as material for building wind mill towers in our Mid West USA. I have never seen it used in a boat but it is extremely water resistant. I would put it in the same group as Ebony.

[CANDO597]

I have used Plas Teak, made from pvc milk cartons and workable with woodworking tools. You can even make plugs for countersunk screws.
Dyed to golden teak color and hard to tell the difference from 10' away.
Sadly, their web site says that trim lumber is out of stock until further notice.
https://www.plasteak.com/
You might try to contact them for availability.
As someone else mentioned, IPE aka Ironwood is hard and durable and weathers like teak.

[donradcliffe]

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/whi6010...loops-43l.html

[c.K.]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Iroko seems to hold up well. Prices are OK and we bought ours from a local carpenter here in France.

We used it outside without varnish. Grey's out similar to Teak .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iroko?wprov=sfla1

I agree with franziska great wood and colour but wear a mask since it irritates the airways

[bil56]

iroko is good for you !
or ipé