tiller color

[navahoIII]

Is it highly objectionable to strip down an ash tiller then stain it mahogany (plus varnish) so as to match the coaming and floorboards?

On the one hand, it would improve the aesthetics, would it not? On the other, it would contravene the purist rationale that ash is ash and mahogany is mahogany.

What to do?...

[seandwyer]

All of my woodwork is the same color - mahogany, and it is pleasing to the eye - floor boards, combings, thwarts, tiller - all the same color - and it makes me happy. I think you should do the same, that is, whatever makes you happy. Please your own eye, let everyone else worry about their own.

[navahoIII]

Sean,

Thanks for your thoughts. I am inclined to agree. To me, the contrast of ash against mahogany is too much. I was all ready to go ahead until I saw an article in Wooden Boat magazine which had some beautiful pictures of a restored Buzzard's Bay 30. After wiping up my drool I saw that it had either ash or light oak in stark contrast to the deep, warm mahogany. The writer thought it "beautiful"...

Maybe for a boat of that size and quality it is more than acceptable, but for the DSI, given its smaller size and relatively modest amount of brightwork, uniformity of color might be best.

[K.C. Walker]

I suppose you could look at it as each piece of wood having its own unique characteristics and advantages. I see no problem with staining wood. However, I don't like to disguise one wood to make it look like another. Not that staining ash will make it actually look like mahogany. In this case ash is a superior wood for the purpose of being a tiller (or an ax handle) being that it has superior strength for this job. You could stain it to look like mahogany which is an inferior wood for the job of being a tiller because it is softer, lighter, and weaker for this job. For combings and flooring, mahogany is a great wood for the job because it is light, rot resistant, takes finish well, and looks great. Of course, you could always bleach the mahogany to simulate ash.

KC

[navahoIII]

KC,

I am inclined to agree with you too, I don't like the idea of disguising something to look like something else. And, yes, ash is the appropriate wood to use for a tiller and there is a certain utilitarian beauty in keeping it an "ash" color. It makes for an "honest" boat - true?

Sorry, Sean, I guess I'll stick to keeping it as is.

That's one less project this winter!