Macrocarpa for a toerail?

[gavinpascoe]

My girlfriend did a reccy for me at a timber merchants near Wellington asking for either teak or kahikitea for new toerails. They had none but of their stock suggested either kauri (for a toerail? - get outta here!) or macrocarpa.

Any thoughts on macrocarpa for this? I see on good old wikipedia that it is used in boatbuilding, but is it suitable for this purpose? It will be just a plank on edge rail, screwed to the deck of my 23 footer, in the way explained in Bud McIntosh's "How to build a wooden boat".

I'd prefer not to paint them if possible, is it OK to just leave them alone like you can with teak, or would they be best finished with oil or varnish?

thanks.

[sandingblock]

I would consider it a bit soft for a toe rail. And I wouldn't be keen on leaving it bare either. If you sealed it with penetrating epoxy you could get away with paint or maybe varnish.

It would be a reasonable option for what you're doing, but try and track some out off TradeMe or similar, the merchants are an expensive option for getting hold of a commonly available timber like this.

There are a few local (Wellington) guys who trade off the net with some nice stock.

Jonny.

[sandingblock]

Oh, and you can get Kahikatea at Eastbourne timber.

[gavinpascoe]

Sweet - I arrive Welly on Tuesday - have you got any numbers for these guys? Reply to private messages if you prefer.

thanks,
g

[John B]

Don't go kike, it rots fast. Macrocarpa has a good reputation as a bb timber.

[Gary Dierking]

Macrocarpa has to be heartwood or it'll rot as soon as you turn your back.
Most of the kahikatea I see in timber yards is pressure treated, but I think it's a little soft of a toe rail.
I've had good luck with Fijian kauri; it's available up here in Auckland.

Gary

[Zane Lewis]

Dad's Yawl has a lot of Macrocarpa in it, a very good boat building timber if you can source clean lengths but I would not rate it as toe rail material. Too soft. It marks easily.

http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Boats/boatmischief/15Thecreator.jpg

If looking native then Tanekaha which is a very stringy tough and flexible timber. we used it for structural laminates, beams, dead wood and 2x 5.5mm venears over the mac strip planks.

http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Boats/boatmischief/13M2StartTree.jpg

Cheapest way to get your timber if you have time.
Other pic's at
http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Boats/boatmischief/13M2StartTree.jpg

Hope you find something suitable. Try a specalist boat supply timber yard.

Cheer's Zane

[epoxyboy]

What about Victorian Ash aka Tasmanian Oak - Timspecs (pretty sure they have an Auckland branch, no pun intended) usually has it in nice long quartersawn planks. It is very straight grained, finishes nicely and is tough as buggery. I used it for the stringers and rub rails on my Pathfinder.
It is way harder than the Fijian Kauri I used for a couple of other bits.

Pete

[gavinpascoe]

Thanks for the responses. In the end a mate gave me a big plank of Fiji Kauri for the job. In between other jobs I couldnt get it to a table or band saw in time so now it's a job for next year.

Good info on contacts for resources for my part of the world so thanks for all your help.

g