Mahogany for rubrail???

[Tim TITAN]

Ok stupid question here. I want to do a nice wood rubrail on my CS20, left bright of course. I dont want something too light though. I was thinking Mahogany for the rubrail and tiller. What do you guys think? Look nice? See any problems with that? I'm not too familiar with using Mahogany. Also, I'll have to scarf the joints on the rail. Just a traditional type scarf right? And what is best for finishing it off? Should it be epoxy sealed and then varnished? thanks.....Tim

[Guest]

There are many species of mahogany. The genuine or Honduras Mahogany is deep red by nature. There are some lighter boards, but try to pick the deep red ones, or burgandy in color, if you find it. Also check for grain orientation. We normally use a patten grade, which will saw and stay pretty straight till glued up. Myself, I would not epoxy it, but use multiple coats of varnish, if desire a gloss finish, or cetol for a more utility and ease of maintainance if dinged up. Depending on your area, ash makes a nince rail, but is pretty hard to bend. SO glue up, two thinner pieces, in place, offsetting your joints. White oak is common with work boat finish. If you use teak, you can also use the same principle on it, or just leave it natural and let it grey out.

Here two shots that shows what I have done with it. This is 2 1/4 x 3/16, so I could do the compound bends, with the sheerline slooping and rounding up at the bow and stern.

http://www.messing-about.com/forum/download.php?id=1940

http://www.messing-about.com/forum/download.php?id=1939

[Greg Luckett]

That is some pretty wood. It looks like the Mahogany I used to buy in Gulfport, MS, years ago (see http://www.newmanlumber.com/pict.htm ). I hope to find a good source closer to home now.

[Tim TITAN]

anybody have a pic of an ash rubrail? just curious how the finish looks

[Guest]

Here are some shots of the contrast woods, mahogany and ash rails. The canoe is also ash rails, on cedar strip canoe, which has a red hue to it. Keep in mind, the ash is a little grainy. This is the best I can come up with now.

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[Bill Paxton]

I used mahogany for the upper and lower rubrails on my Weekender. At the time, I chose the wood for its looks. After four sailing seasons, I admire it for it's toughness. Those rubrails are as hard as iron, and show very little wear for all the docks they've bumped up against.

The wood was really hard to bend into place, but the effort was worth it.

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[John Yow]

I am bending 1"x2" ash rails on my CS17. It is hard to bend, but not impossible. I'll try to get a couple of pictures for you. However, mine are unfinished at this time. I am planning on using Cetol, when the time comes.

John

CS17#102