Mahogany?

[burgundyben]

I need to fix a broken keelson in a British 1963 built motorboat.

I'm gathering my thoughts how best to do it and how I plan some prevention measures.

I do know that I need some durable strong timber. Its straight bits, no need for bending.

I'm sure the broken bit coming out is some kind of mahogany. But what does that really mean?

Will sapele do?

Other timbers I should consider?

I'm no Leo, so a timber that is easy to work!

 

[Daydream believer]

Iroko

 

[jamie N]

I bought a plank of undressed mahogany from a timber merchant in Inverness for about £20.

 

[Wansworth]

Don’t forget you can laminate

 

[Hacker]

We often/nearly always use iroko for keels, hogs and keelsons. Not nice to work as the grain goes all over the place. As @Wansworth says laminating a section is often a good way. Will need good locking scarf joints.

 

[burgundyben]

We often/nearly always use iroko for keels, hogs and keelsons. Not nice to work as the grain goes all over the place. As @Wansworth says laminating a section is often a good way. Will need good locking scarf joints.

Good scraf joints will test me!

I'll sort out photos of what I'm up against.

 

[Wansworth]

Laminating and staggering joints could overcome use of scarphes using modern glues and dowels

 

[burgundyben]

Laminating and staggering joints could overcome use of scarphes using modern glues and dowels

Yes, that might be my saviour.

 

[Daydream believer]

We often/nearly always use iroko for keels, hogs and keelsons. Not nice to work as the grain goes all over the place. As @Wansworth says laminating a section is often a good way. Will need good locking scarf joints.

Use air dried Iroko.The grain is normally less distorted than kiln dried. One does not need the moisture content to be so low so there is less tension in the grain.

 

[Hacker]

Laminating and staggering joints could overcome use of scarphes using modern glues and dowels

You could but IMHO I think cutting the staggers in the existing material is far more difficult than a scarf.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Iroko

Iroko is not necessarily easy to work with its interlocking grain.

 

[Daydream believer]

Iroko is not necessarily easy to work with its interlocking grain.

I have machined a few artic loads over the years & it is selection that matters. See my post #9

 

[Redwing228]

May I add my vote for Iroko too...
The whole of our Finesse's hull, including the whole of the centreline structure including a laminated stem and apron are all Iroko.
I've used it for repairs on other projects and the grain ragging can be mitigated by careful selection as the previous poster mentioned above.
Bill

 

[Freebee]

I have bought and used old snooker tables as a useful source of secondhand mahogany

 

[burgundyben]

Ultimately I need one fairly short piece of wood, I think an entire snooker table might be over kill and would almost certainly kill my ageing Vauxhall Combo.

 

[Daydream believer]

''

 

[Siftasam]

Seasoned Iroko. Claude Whisstock used this for keel sections, stems etc. etc. Very strong and durable. Use sharp tools ! And keep them sharpened throughout
I do not recommend mahoghany- if you have a struggle to fit i.e. bolting etc it is prone to split. Iroko is immensly tough - in the sense of strong.

 

[burgundyben]

Funnily enough I have some iroko from and old staircase, thick enough plank but too short!