Wood Trim?

[bigbotes]

If I wanted to put wood trim around the hatches in the console, what wood should I use?? What type can I use??

[RickK]

Teak, IPE, Brazilian Mahogany - those 3 are the first that popped into my head.

[bigbotes]

oh good the expensive stuff lol. But seriously would I be able to use maybe oak if I treated it first?

[Brendanpd28]

My last boat I primarily used Mahogany since Teak was very hard to come by.  I don't see why you can't go with oak, cherry etc. as long as you spar urethane it very well. I plan on using some cherry I have in the shop to make a new face plate for the console on my 170.  I will be staining it and going over it with 5 coats of captains spar varnish.  Good luck!!

 - Brendan

[love2fish]

whatever type of wood you use, and no matter how you prep it- COVER it as often as possible. I'm a fan of teak and have it on several applications on my boat- and liberally use covers on all of it to prolong its appearance and condition.
the ring I made to go under my livewell is mahogany and it has held up very well using Sikkens products. my dash pieces, gunwale rod holders, swim platforms, and backrests are all teak and also get Sikkens every few years- holds up very well to heavy use/abuse and 90% saltwater environments.

as you mentioned- it's expensive. so cardboard templates are your friend and measure twice, cut once...

[RickK]

 I think the key is to use a wood without much grain pattern in it so it doesn't detract from the over all boat - but add to it.  If you look at teak and mahogany they have no grain to speak of.  Oak has a lot of grain pattern, which is nice on cabinets and other household items, maybe not so much on a boat.
BUT beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if you like it, go with it.  If it is to fill above the rod holders in the models that had that removable piece above the rod holders, that's one story but of it's the ring under the console where you'll see edge, or the rod holders themselves in early 70s models, that another.  Depends on the application too.
And I agree to cover the wood because the sun will  tear them up.

[bigbotes]

Thanks everyone. I think I will use oak but in a minimal way. I just wanted to accent a few openings, nothing outrageous.

[Levi]

Ipe isn't that expensive up side of teak.
I WOULD NOT use oak - I tried that on my mako 19 for the radio box surround and it looked REALLY cheap and crappy next to the teak. I have some teak I pulled off my 28 Offshore project if are interested I'll give you some if you either come pick it up or cover shipping.

[bigbotes]

Would you be able to send a pic and a rough estimate to ship to Jacksonville??

[Levi]

I'd have to see what you needed to be able to get you the amount you needed and I'm not going to be home til June