Mahogany versus Utile

[ErikBenson]

I am just about to tackle the replacement of several damaged planks on the bottom of my ex Royal Navy Fast Motor boat which is double diagonal mahogany below the chine.The planks are 4feet long, 2.5" wide and about 8mm thick.
I can get utile here in France but African mahogany is proving very difficult- well nigh impossible.
What would be the objections to using Utile instead of Mahogany. . .Please ! ?

 

[jon]

No problem, Utile (Entandrophragma utile) is a mahogany. There are 3 genera generally recognised as mahogany : Entandrophragma,Khaya and Swietenia. Some say only the last one is the true mahogany, but I say go for it.

 

[Poignard]

I have recently used Utile for some internal joinery and it was very easy to work. I read somewhere [but unfortunately I can't remember where!] that it is more durable than Brazilian and African Mahoganies.

If you want other mahoganies, then Robbins of Bristol can supply. I don't know what restrictions might apply to importing it into France, though.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Out of the three easy to get Mahogany's Utile , Meranti and Sapele i would rate Sapele as the better Mahogany . That is just my opinion and not a boat building fact .

 

[Guest]

Me too, Sapele is far the better timber.

 

[ErikBenson]

Thanks folks. . .I went out and bought a plank of Sapele today. . .seemed reasonable --Long -3m. . .wide- 30cm..thick--34mm. . . . .cost. . .37euros.
cheers and thanks -Erik