IROKO DECKS

[Anchorite]

Just finished decking around the cockpit: I've read David Young's article
on 'protecting' (or not) teak (PBO 429 September).
What about iroko - leave as is or is there a miracle product?

 

[ccscott49]

Iroko, "African Teak" Just leave or treat as teak. Bugger to sand innit!

 

[MapisM]

Far from being a wood expert myself, but having to deal with a boat built with many types of different woods, I asked some suggestions to the gentlemen who built it, and spoke also with another (of the very few left, sadly) wood boat builder.
They agreed that Iroko can be a good substitute of teak, but told me that if used outside it must be varnished.
The reason they gave me is that, otherwise, it tends to break within its fibers.
That's why it shouldn't be used in decks, according to them: Iroko cut in long, narrow pieces could break in a matter of few seasons.
No direct experience though - my deck is teak, luckily !

 

[ccscott49]

Iroko used in big lumps, or used for bulkheads, does have a tendency to spilt, but I've never seen an iroko deck splitting. You will have a terrible job trying to get varnish to stay on Iroko outside, I know too well. Also, why would varnish stop it breaking within it's fibres? I've never heard any of this. But I will check with some more wood type people, by the way, my entire hull planking, bulkheads and frames are iroko as is my keel and small bilge keels. The rest of my 48 ton boat is teak, including the decks.

 

[Anchorite]

Varnished decks hmm.... there was plenty on the Rivas but that
was to attract the birds. If varnish is necessary to protect, presumably
one of the oils would do also and would have my preference. Thanks for
your comments.
I'll have a word with Robbins (suppliers) next week.
FWIW, boat is for the Med.

 

[Seapepper]

I have used iroko unvarnished and it goes a horrible dark mucky greyish brown colour. It looks great when varnished though....but who wants varnished decks??

John

 

[ccscott49]

So does teak, a clean now and again works wonders.

 

[Anchorite]

'...A horrible mucky greyish brown colour ' complete with broken fibres.
A pessimist might think I'd got it wrong.
Maybe I'll just keep it in the shed...

 

[MapisM]

Well, actually those people who suggested me to varnish iroko when used "outside", never meant to do that on decks.
In fact, they assumed that only teak should be used for decks.

Also my boat has a lot of iroko though; all planks and keel (frames are oak).
But the planks are painted (white now - thanks also to yours and others suggestions - prossibly someone remember the thread when my wife insisted for blue hull...).
Varnished outside, I have for example the grab rails, which are also in Iroko. Fingers crossed, they never split so far.
On the other hand, I had an Iroko thick base under the column of the table on the flybridge.
It wasn't varnished, and it did split in several points. Since changed with teak, I had no further problem.

But don't ask me to explain the reason why varnish should stop iroko from breaking...
...just based on common sense, I'd be as skeptical about that as you are!

 

[ccscott49]

I have varnished and painted iroko in big lumps and it's spilt here and there, quite a common happening with bigger lumps. Your handrails etc, should be fine. Mine are however all teak, as is everything above the deck beams, apart froma few bits of iroko.