[victorcesarbota]

Hi,
How are you guys?
I have a 1975 Vindo MS 50 ketch, and she is in need to get her deck and the wood in cabin and cockpit redo.
I'm in NYC area and am thinking about about sailing south on spring to get it done somewhere in the Caribe or Central America.
Do you guys know here there is teak plantation closest to me?
Or which country would be best to have it don as for coast?
thanks

 

[killarney_sailor]

Real teak comes from Asia so it is a long way from where you are. There might be a comparable wood available in Central or South America. Perhaps you should ask your question on the Wooden Boat forum, they would have more expertise than those of us with plastic or metal boats without teak decks and superstructures.

 

[SOVT]

I don't know about plantations but Condon Lumber in White Plains has all the Teak you can afford.

 

[capta]

There are several good south American woods that are nearly on a par with teak. I saw a lot on the docks in Brazil when they were not allowing imports there, because carrying wood wasn't worth deadheading down to get it. I believe there is iroko wood available somewhat cheaper than teak in south America, which as mentioned, comes from Asia. I think you'll be hard pressed to find anybody who doesn't value a good boat building wood in the Americas these days.
Unless you are very well heeled, you might have to give the teak decks a miss and just do the interior. What makes the search that much harder is you can't use green wood, it must be aged for a period of time.
Africa would be my only suggestion for good quality iroko at a reasonable price.
Good luck.

 

[Faster]

I know of at least one cruiser who had their entire interior refitted for very 'cheap' money relatively speaking by having it done in Venezuala. Very low labour costs and it seems they had no problem getting the wood. AFAIK they're still happy with the work.

As to the teak decks, a removal/reglass may ultimately be the most practical thing to do.

btw we have a Brazilian resident member here (copacobana) who also owns a Vindo.

 

[copacabana]

Welcome to Sailnet Victor! BTW, congrats on the nice boat! My Vindö underwent a complete transformation in which the decks and cabintop were replaced with divinycell sandwich construction laminated to the hull and bullwarks. It is a monocoque constrution. I have none of the original teak or mahogany left. I do have some wood in the cockpit (and lots inside). If you can get your boat to Brazil, look for a wood called "araribá", which is native to the Atlantic rainforest here and far, far superior to teak. It simply doesn't rot and can take any finish, including left to go silver. The mahogany-laminated superstructure of Vindös is a chore to keep looking beautiful in the tropics, but if you have the time and ability, it does turn heads. Please post a few pics of your boat. have you had it long?