Interior finish questions

[matt_unique]

I plan to add a cover to the overhead shelf as many have done. The widest piece of teak I could find was not quite wide enough to cover the "deepest" spot at the center. What other types of wood have you guys used? Perhaps another wood with some stain to approximate the color and look of teak?

Second, for my electronics installation I cut a hole on the "dash" to the right of the helm to snake some wires. I would like to cover the edges of this hole with the same edge covering used on the edges of the doorway to the forward berth. I would appreciate suggestions as to where I could find this as well. I'm not even sure what you would call it...black edging?

Thanks

[colobear]

I have used mahogany with good success. A close match in color and grain, pretty in its own right.

[marvin4239]

Brazilian Cherry is a close match and far less expensive.

[Wayne McCown]

Red oak (which can be purchased at almost any home store) stained teak also comes close.

[mwilson]

You could join two pieces together just be sure to acetone the joint before you glue and clamp cause of all the oils in teak.

[helm]

Matt, I think I saw the edging in the west marine catalog yesterday when I was looking for hatch seal tape. Its made by Taco and is in there catalog near the hatch tape.
Best
Eric

[matt_unique]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Kena B]

Ditto on the "join two pieces together" idea. As for trimming the hole, why not get a rubber or plastic grommet? Most auto and boat parts store will have a variety of sizes. Just make sure you get the grommet "before" you drill the hole so you can make sure the right size hole is drilled for the grommet "in hand" (that is the voice of experience! I drilled a hole and could not find a grommet to fit it!!!)

Don

[matt_unique]

The hole is already drilled to run wires and it's too big for a grommet. I would need a flexible edge trim to cover the cut edges, make it look nice, and minimize cable chafe.

I think the taco flexible edge trim will do the trick.

Thanks again for the ideas!

[localboy]

[C-Dude]

Walnut or Mahogany matches teak fairly closely. In my opinion Red Oak does not match the grain or color of teak, however it does look good

[thataway]

Most West Marines have the edging. Experiment with stains. Iroko is close to teak, and used in place of Teak in some areas.

[Yellowstone]

About ten years ago I was looking for wide pieces of teak and settled for teak faced plywood. Very expensive but a 4' x 8' sheet gives you all kinds of material for other projects. Perhaps a specialty wood store will have a remnant which will be cheaper than a full sheet. It is difficult to stain non teak wood to match real teak color and grain.
Yellowstone

[Pete in NY]

I have been buying boat lumber, for 30 years from :

Maurice L Condon CO Inc
250 Ferris Avenue, White Plains, NY 10603
phone: (914) 946-4111

Phone:
(914) 946-4111
fax: (914) 946-3779

They used to advertise in all the boating magazines. They stock teak in the thickness, width and length you want. I usually go pick my own rough sawn boards and they dress it down to what you want. I believe they still ship all over the country.

[westward]

I would look at a wood species called IPE, marketed here in Seattle as "ironwood", normally for decking. Extremely dense, heavy, stable, impervious to rot, available in wider widths, and looks just like teak, plantation raised/sustainable. Caution: it's often green when sold, especially in the narrower widths like 1x4 that sell a lot for decking. Mike.