Tropical wood suggestions?

[Javari]

I'm about to embark on my first wood-strip project here in the Amazon, where I'm working with certified and sustainably-harvested timber.

Does anyone have suggestions for "exotic" woods not necessarily available in other regions that could be used for a high-performance solo flatwater canoe? I have access to mahoganies and cedars (though certified is very difficult to find), as well as balsa and other very lightweight woods. I am particularly interested in finding "alternative" woods for boatbuilding using strip construction.

Thanks from Manaus.

[ixplorer]

You'de need to provide a list of what you can get hold of first... as virtually any wood CAN be used... just depends on what you got.

I am planning on using some Jarrah, Kaihikatea and Kauri, three wods I bet you've never heard of... the Jarrahs an Australian Hardwood, the other two are NZ Natives.

Oh and i'm going to have some coconut wood inlays as well... that is absolutely the most beautiful wood I have ever seen... its light coloured with 'comet' shaped dark shots of grain running through it.. I have loads of it.

Guy

[Noah's]

Structurally it doesn?t matter what wood you use, as the strength is in the fiberglass skins. Light weight and ability to bend in a fair curve are desirable, but we have had customers build in Paduk, Purple heart and Tropical Mahogany among others.

[soltrad]

You'de need to provide a list of what you can get hold of first... as virtually any wood CAN be used... just depends on what you got.

I am planning on using some Jarrah, Kaihikatea and Kauri, three wods I bet you've never heard of... the Jarrahs an Australian Hardwood, the other two are NZ Natives.

Oh and i'm going to have some coconut wood inlays as well... that is absolutely the most beautiful wood I have ever seen... its light coloured with 'comet' shaped dark shots of grain running through it.. I have loads of it.

Guy

There is a small boat building industry in Solomon Islands. Woods used are Vitex confassus (Pacific Oak) and Kwila (Instia bijuga)

[kristinking]

I am looking into building a 35 foot sailboat and have heard that manaus is a rather ideal place to do this in terms of price, labour, and materials.
Are there any specific sites, contacts, or references available in terms of researching this idea / or does it involve me coming to Manaus to directly research the idea. I actually don't know much, just heard it by word of mouth from some people in Salvador. THank you for any information, kristin