Sitka Spruce

Botanical name: Picea sitchensis. It is also known as Silver Spruce, Pacific Coast Spruce, and Tideland Spruce. Sitka Spruce grows along the Pacific coast of North America from Oregon north to Alaska. It has been prized by musical instrument makers for guitars and pianos. Boat builders also regard it as second to none for the construction of yacht masts, its strength to weight ratio is unparalleled. Pre war boat builders such as Morgan Giles of Teignmouth used it for building their clinker built racing craft, allowing for a very strong but light hull. It glues and holds fastenings well and has the ability to absorb impacts. Sitka spruce is easily worked by machine or hand tools. When varnished its colour darkens to a beautiful honey colour with age.

Weight. 380 - 440 kg/m.3

Yellow Cedar

Botanical name: Chamaecyparis nootkatensis. It is also known as Sitka Cypress, Pacific Yellow Cedar and Nootka Cypress. It is a medium sized tree that grows from Oregon to southern Alaska. It is the hardest known cedar and has exceptional resistance to weather and insects. When left uncoated it takes on a beautiful silver colour. Decay resistance is very high which makes it desirable for boatbuilding. Stock is often used for planking and decks. It has exceptional properties of very tight grain and even texture, this makes it a pleasure to work with.

Weight 430 kg/m.3

Douglas Fir

Named after the Scottish botanist David Douglas. Douglas Fir is also known as Coast Douglas Fir and Oregon Pine. It grows along the southern Pacific coast. This wood is hard and straight grained and seasons well. It has many uses in boatbuilding including yacht masts and spars, and decking. We have supplied many projects where they have required straight vertical grain timber that is dimensionally stable.

Weight 530 kg/ m.3

Western Red Cedar

Botanical name:Thuja plicata. Also known as Red Cedar.
Native to north western United States,South western Canada and Alaska.
It is valued for its resistance to decay, commonly used for roof shingles, decks, and siding in the construction industry. Uses in boat building include, strip planking for anything from canoes to larger yachts. It is also used for the construction of racing foils as it has inherent stability and glues well. Working properties are good, and it has rich colour tones when varnished.

Weight 380kg / m.3

Khaya African Mahogany

Botanical name: Khaya Ivorensis. Also known as Mahogany.
Native to the West coast of Africa, it grows from the Ivory Coast to the Cameroons and Gabon. When freshly cut it is distinctly pink and tends to darken with drying to a rich red colour. Used in furniture making and boat building it is excellent for boat planking and fitting out.

Weight. 530/600 kg/m.3