Replacing wood cockpit seat slats and cockpit sole

[cagey]

I want to replace wood for cockpit seat and sole, width about 50 mm and thickness about 15/17 mm what be best in terms of visual/cosmetic and length of life, oak or sapele ,the product will be bedded onto strong support and won’t be subject to undue stress. Or is there a better product I chose these two because they were reasonably priced and available, happy to be guided.
thanks
Keith

 

[PlankWalker]

Teak is a better product, but it wont be reasonably priced , unless you can get it secondhand,
The 30 year old teak decks on my 36 footer, all came from laboratory benches first made in 1936, and they still look good.

 

[Daydream believer]

Iroko.
My friend had slats on his seats & I asked why. He said that when bored he would sit for 10 mins one way then 10 mins at 90 degrees the other way. Then they could play noughts & crosses on his bum. Only drawback was that they always had to start with a nought in the middle.

 

[Tranona]

Are these slats, grids or laid strips? The type of construction determines in part the choice of material.

 

[V1701]

I didn't bother replacing mine when I removed them, filled/faired and painted with non-slip - easier on the arse, easier to maintain, save a bit of weight...

 

[KAM]

Definately not oak. It warps very easily. I replaced my teak slats with Iroko. It worked and looks ok but due to the cross linked grain a few slats developed surface splits with a risk of splinters. The old teak I stripped off was in good condition but had just worn thin. If I was doing it again I would consider laminating the old ones together and reusing them and using new teak in the high visibility areas.