New Guinea Rosewood Can I use it instead of Teak?

[Hoohaa]

I find teak really hard to get and expensive here in Sydney but I am able to get plenty of high quality New Guinea Rosewood.
I want to use it to construct a small boarding platform on the stern of my boat, so it will be frequently submerged. Will this timber do the job.
Here are a couple of pics of the rear ladder, on which I want to hang the platform or step.


Sorry. I don't know how to rotate them here.

[sartorst]

I don't know about rose wood but ipe is a good teak substitute if available there

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by sartorst

I don't know about rose wood but ipe is a good teak substitute if available there

IPE??? Can you elaborate on that?

[atoll]

it should be fine,it is used for building trading schooners in madagasgar and doors and frames,known locally as palisandra,it is quite hard on blades and router bits due to its high silica content it goes grey with prolonged exposure untreated,but is hard wearing.
the dust is an irritant so wear a mask when cutting it

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by atoll

it should be fine,it is used for building trading schooners in madagasgar and doors and frames,known locally as palisandra,it is quite hard on blades and router bits due to its high silica content it goes grey with prolonged exposure untreated,but is hard wearing.
the dust is an irritant so wear a mask when cutting it

Thanks Atoll. Just to confirm. Are talking about the Rosewood? Not the IPE?

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by atoll

it should be fine,it is used for building trading schooners in madagasgar and doors and frames,known locally as palisandra,it is quite hard on blades and router bits due to its high silica content it goes grey with prolonged exposure untreated,but is hard wearing.
the dust is an irritant so wear a mask when cutting it

Thanks Atoll. Just to confirm. Are talking about the Rosewood? Not the IPE?

[atoll]

I'm referring to rosewood,or the local variation,of the same species found in madagasgar,which is called "palisander",very durable and a bit harder than teak, it machines well but will dull saw,planer and router blades/bits quite quickly due to its high silica content

[Hoohaa]

Thanks. Sound good to me.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Hoohaa

Thanks. Sound good to me.

we used quite a bit of it for flooring/decking ,window and door frames on a bunch of houses we built in the comores islands when we lived there,naturally resistant to termites and ants as well,keeps its beautiful red hue if wax polished or varnished.

[Hoohaa]

I am already using it for around the windows inside the boat but the best part is that I can get plenty of it.
Thanks for the advice.

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[sartorst]

Ipe Lumber - Wood - East Teak This wood is so heavy I dont think it will float

[Cherp]

The rosewood sounds like it has similar characteristics to jarrah from Western Australia. That also has a high silica content, is rose coloured (or deep red) and is as hard as the hobs of hell. If you're building a boat from it you need one full time tool sharpener for each two shipwrights.

[sailingfarmer]

If your "rosewood" is in the true rosewood family "Dalbergia" it should be BETTER than teak. It should also be heavier. Nispero (Sapodilla in the Bahamas) is what is used in Central America for water based uses.... it is tougher than teak and Ipe combined. There is wood out there that you can scratch a diamond with and can use as an anchor... teak is just the commercial variety that everyone knows about....

I used to be in the tropical hardwood business in Panama... I love tropical woods and living in Central America is like being a kid in a candy store if you are a wood nut like I am....

[islandfeverJim]

We used IPE in several applications where it was constantly submerged and was superior to anything else. It is incredibly hard and water resistant.

Copied this from the WSJ: What is it? Also called Brazilian walnut, ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood is typically found in South America and some parts of Central America. It is one of the densest hardwoods available, three times harder than cedar. Ipe has the same fire rating as concrete and steel, meaning it resists flames much longer than softer woods, and is so dense that it doesn't float in water.

[sailingfarmer]

Ipe is in the Tabebula (sp.?) family.... it is better used for outside decking but just as good maybe better than teak for your application. Make sure it has been dried..preferably kiln-dried. Once dried it is stable. That stuff is much heavier and much harder than teak. It is tough as nails too... you could hide behing it in the event of a nuclear blast as well.... although I know many woods that would make Ipe look like cardboard....