What kind of wood

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Pieyed47

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I have seen some work boats and fishing boats that have what looks like a push or striker pad on the stem of the boat. I think it is used for nosing up to a dock and using it to push off a dock for making a turn in a confined space using the prop walk and thrust from the engine. My question is, does anyone know what type of wood they use? The wood looks very dark to me.
Thanks, JD
 
Brobably Ironbark. I have a 4X4 about 3' long. It's very heavy and dark. Iron bark is traditionally used on a boat's topside near or at the stem to protect the hull from the anchor as it's drawn up. It was also used as a cutless bearing in the deadwood where the prop shaft exits the keel.
 
I know a good joke about a blindfolded wood expert, but.....:nonono::nonono::nonono:.
 
Blue Gum, Iroco, Purpleheart in my area especially the purpleheart and blue gum. I have some of the gum as a heavy rub rail on my hull sides.

They will go quite dark unless filled with a lighter filler, are hard and tough. They will dull tools much quicker than many other woods as they take up some minerals in their growth that can be quite abrasive. Teak, real stuff, does that also, tough on tools although not as hard.

Used on many fishing boats, trollers and gillnetters, to protect the hull from the gear as it was lifted or dragged up the hull sides or stern. Of course at the stem for anchor protection as Eric mentions.
 
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Eric is probably right, ironbark. Stuff will actually sink if tossed over the side. Normally if on the face of the stem its steel. Wood is more often as Eric says used for anchor guards and sponson guards. A more common wood for bearings etc and very hard is lignum vitae. But as my old day would say, wood bearings went out with hoop skirts!
 
C lectric said:
Blue Gum, Iroco, Purpleheart in my area especially the purpleheart and blue gum. I have some of the gum as a heavy rub rail on my hull sides.

They will go quite dark unless filled with a lighter filler, are hard and tough. They will dull tools much quicker than many other woods as they take up some minerals in their growth that can be quite abrasive. Teak, real stuff, does that also, tough on tools although not as hard.

Used on many fishing boats, trollers and gillnetters, to protect the hull from the gear as it was lifted or dragged up the hull sides or stern. Of course at the stem for anchor protection as Eric mentions.
Click to expand...

Does the purplehart darken over time?
Thanks JD
 
Some of the work boats around here use UHMW it's typically black and works well for that application.
 
Ka sea ta,
Excluding the stern bearing I assume or?
 
The UHMW works well in a number of places, being as you say black usually and basically a hard plastic that takes a bend. I bent lots of it around boats the last few years I shipwrighted. It will not hold sealants or bedding very well though, it just slides off. We used some type of glue to plug fastener holes, but I don't remember for sure what, maybe Gorilla glue. And no its not for bearings.
 
The purpleheart I've seen will darken although it has a reddish hue, not unattractive though. The others go quite dark unless finished to not do so.


Lots of UHMW used on boats now. I use it, fishing boats now,Nordic Tugs, even the guys across the way from my boat, Coastal Craft.
 
Hi,


It is called in Europe ebenholz, Ebony is English name, i think.


Used in old ships Cutlass Bearing...
 
I think the Ironbark Eric referred to I know as Lignum Vitae. Heavy , will sink, hard , dark , used as bearings, almost black, and will sink.
Never had occasion to use it. Just saw small pieces.
 
docks used to be built with a wood called greenheart, which will also sink. Turns grey when weathered, great firewood.
 
Each area has their own "iron wood".
To answer one of your questions, purple heart will turn blackish over time, as many woods will.
Anyway, another good choice for a really tough wood for taking tremendous abuse is Bois d'arc, also known as hedge apple. When cut it is a really bright yellow but will soon turn darken as expose to air and the sun. It is extremely heavy and very rot resistant. It is not normally cut for timber so you wont find it at lumber yards. You just have to know someone that has it or check with local woodworkers.
Woods like lignum vitae are very expensive.
 
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