White Oak vs Mahogany vs Teak

Patrick S/V Shangra-La · Apr 2, 2010

Any hard wood is good if you like the look and IF you protect it from the elements. Teak is desirable because if you are like me and don't want to constantly cover it with a sealer you can let it grey and it will still perform well.

Personally I think teak or wood, and work are both four letter words, and I appreciate having all stainless steel above decks.

Rick2413 · Apr 2, 2010

Having just returned from the Speciality Wood Shop and paying $200 for a 1x6x 8ft I don't have a problem with anyone using either white oak or mahogany, espeially if it's free. Of course the purists will scream blue murder as teak is extremely beautiful and traditional. However, any of the three woods will last for a long long time if properly maintained each season. Chances are you will be long bored of your boat and probably bought a bigger boat before any of these woods need to be replaced again. It's all in what you can afford and what is acceptable estically to you. My two cents worth(I am a teak man)

Steve Dion · Apr 2, 2010

I personally do not like oak on the exterior because of the open grain. This tends to get dirt and mold build up. Mahogany and teak have a much tighter grain. (Just my opinion).

I suppose if you use a filler on the wood before finishing it is an okay alternative.

greenminnow · Apr 2, 2010

If you use white oak I would make sure and use a sealer/filler. I make some white oak sliders for my boat 3 years ago and they didn't hold up well. I put 5 coats of helmsman varnish on them only. The varnish failed in the first year and they actually curved quite a bit even though they were fastened to th boat. I went back to teak and they are holding up well. Brian

Amos Cape · Apr 2, 2010

I had to replace some missing trim and went with red oak. I had to try a lot of different stains to make it look like the teak. But it turned out looking very good when it was all done.

Snotter · Apr 2, 2010

White Oak would do just fine outside if you maintain it. Heck, you could even leave it bare and scrunge it when you wash your decks.

djplatt@cogeco.ca · Apr 2, 2010

Oak can discolour a bit where it contacts metal. It needs to well sealed in those places.

Ross · Apr 2, 2010

If you read the label on a can of varnish you will find a note to the effect that this is not a low maintenance finish.White oak takes and holds paint very well. I use it for my boom gallows and my rub rails. I don't use any bright work on the outside of my boat the inside is all bright finished oilled cypress with an accent of walnut or white cedar or Honduras mahogany here and there.

justjon · Apr 2, 2010

Besides the potential warping problems of the white oak, there will apt to be splinters raised if the finish deteriorates. I'd choose the free mahogany

Ross · Apr 2, 2010

justjon said:
Besides the potential warping problems of the white oak, there will apt to be splinters raised if the finish deteriorates. I'd choose the free mahogany

Those splinters are the natural way of reminding you to get out the sand paper and varnish. lol

Paul356 · Apr 2, 2010

Mahog for me. Be sure to fill it, especially if it is the luan style.

zeehag · Apr 2, 2010

mahogany rots in both salt and fresh water from inside to outside and doesnt allow you to see it doing this--it looks good until it falls apart --i would not use it under any circumstances--i prefer my wood to remain as wood should--anything hard wood but not red oak or mahogany--both rot!! watched too much of it go away on other peoples' boats to allow mine to undergo that ....but there is no telling others what to use on theirs..gooodluck and find the next wood early--you WILL need it......

greenminnow · Apr 2, 2010

I did varnish the underside as well.(white oak) I should have put a couple coats of sealer on but didn't. The helmsman varnish cracked, then water got into the grain, then the grain became filled with black mold. It wasn't pretty. I was told that white oak was a better exterior wood than red oak. In my humble opinion, for exterior wood, if I couldn't get teak, I would use some of the plastic alternatives. Brian

Steve Dion · Apr 2, 2010

Mahogany rot?

"While the majority of mahogany wood is used for furniture-making, its rich coloring and durability also make it a popular choice for manufacturers of musical instruments. Many wooden drums are made from mahogany, as are acoustic and electric guitars. Wooden boat producers also rely on mahogany due to its strength and resistance to rot."

"Mahogany is a popular wood for boat building. From early motor launches to the classic era of Chris Craft

, its strength, beauty and rot resistance have placed mahogany at the top of the list for marine use. The addition of fiberglass and epoxy resin enhances the properties that have maintained mahogany's popularity for decades. Fiberglass increases the strength of the wood. The proper application of epoxy encapsulates the wood, making it almost entirely waterproof and greatly extending its useful life. Modern epoxy formulations make applying fiberglass to your boat easier than ever."

They have been building boats out of mahogany forever. Just be sure you are getting the real stuff.

JustDucky · Apr 3, 2010

White oak rub rails after 8 or 9 years of heavy abuse.

bffatcat · Apr 3, 2010

White Oak/Mahogany It depends

On how much your time is worth. If you enjoy maintenance go right ahead. I have friends that go in late and haul early. But their hobby is not sailing, its working with their hands. If you want less work and more sailing go with teak. Its the only wood for boat trim that needs no maintenance will not rot.

zeehag · Apr 3, 2010

Steve Dion said:
Mahogany rot?

"While the majority of mahogany wood is used for furniture-making, its rich coloring and durability also make it a popular choice for manufacturers of musical instruments. Many wooden drums are made from mahogany, as are acoustic and electric guitars. Wooden boat producers also rely on mahogany due to its strength and resistance to rot."

"Mahogany is a popular wood for boat building. From early motor launches to the classic era of Chris Craft, its strength, beauty and rot resistance have placed mahogany at the top of the list for marine use. The addition of fiberglass and epoxy resin enhances the properties that have maintained mahogany's popularity for decades. Fiberglass increases the strength of the wood. The proper application of epoxy encapsulates the wood, making it almost entirely waterproof and greatly extending its useful life. Modern epoxy formulations make applying fiberglass to your boat easier than ever."

They have been building boats out of mahogany forever. Just be sure you are getting the real stuff.

the REAL stuff is what rots from the inside out--ho wmany old chris crafts or other mahogany boats have you seen with theoriginal wooden planks! not many. none, actually, as the mahogany rot from the inside out and when sunk are not salvageable--lol---look ffo ryourself!! i have SEEN them rot--i have taken pix of the rot --yes mahogany has been used for many years --because teak is so expensive ..lol...furniture and musical instruments do not undergo the harsh marine environs--they are not used under water. mahogany does rot and rots in both salt and fresh water. if you do not believe--then go ahead and use it on yur boat--you will probably not be the one who has to replace it anyway--the next owner will..lol...i refuse to have any new mahogany placed in any structural part of my boat--it does not hold up to its alleged reputation--ie the ep of long duration!! has short duration nly and is not a good boatbuilding material. have fun and goood luck. btw--i am over 60 yrs old and have had experience with boats for 53 of those years.....and watched many mahogany boats self destruct in salt water as well as fresh--only adding some years of experience to your opinions..lol...but isnt of any import if you are set on using self destructing materials in your boat please let me know what kind of boat so i do not make the mistake of being the next owner ,,,,thankyou and have a goood day!!~~~~~~_/)~~~~~

post scriptus--i have owned 2 chris crafts --lol and watched the mahogany rot out from under and over me-- have smooth sailing--just dont use mahogany on any structural pieces --you willlearn the hard way.

Alex Dare · Apr 3, 2010

Hard to beat free mahogany if it's nice stuff! Most of the finest wood boats built were planked with it. Ever see a classic Trumpy with varnished cabin sides? Sweet. Not as rot resistant as teak but probably a better choice than the oak and in my opinion, better looking for most applications than either the oak or teak. Either oak or mahogany you'll need to keep varnished or painted to stay looking nice. The teak you can let go but good grief the stuff is getting $$ and a good portion of what's available nowadays is poor quality.
When you do get dry rot in oak it tends to run down the grain fairly quickly. Not so much so with the Mahogany. Just my 2 cents.

White Oak vs Mahogany vs Teak

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