Thread: Cabin sole - what recycled timber?

Hi all.

I'm just looking for info on the timber to use for the cabin sole in a 28' yacht used for social racing and local cruising. During the gradual refurbishment I've used recycled bluegum (I think), kauri, rimu and Australian cedar from Ironwood and Heritage in Sydney.

I'm trying to decide on the floorboards, which will be epoxied onto ply. The boat is not a work of art, just a simple family boat but I'm trying to get her to look a bit less scruffy and I'm pretty happy with the look of the timber bits that have been done so far.

I'm tempted to the kauri but I think it's a fair whack more pricey and, more importantly, will it take being knocked around? The kauri section of the traveller beam has taken some minor knocks and have suffered denting but the other kauri pieces are fine - it may just have been one inferior piece of timber.

Is kauri tough enough in an environment where it will have tools dropped on it, sand ground into it, etc? And does anyone have any recommendations for a decent non-slip finish?

Thanks