Identification of woods called "mahogany" in boat building.
"Honduras Mahogany"
American Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is also known as Honduras Mahogany or True Mahogany. This is the mahogany prized by European and American boat and ship builders for centuries. It is a superior wood for building boats. Honduras Mahogany ranges from Southern Mexico through Central America and in South America to Bolivia. It occurs naturally and is grown on plantations. A related species, Cuban Mahogany was nearly extinct at the time of the Cuban revolution. A Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis) and a Caribbean Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) were once prized as boat building woods but are now on the endangered species list.
"African Mahogany"
African Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis and Khaya anthotheca) is not related to Honduras Mahogany and is therefore, not mahogany. African Mahogany is used for boatbuilding but is considered moderately durable and inferior for this purpose when compared to Honduras Mahogany. There are many species of Khaya comprising some of the most beautiful wood in the world. Varieties are used for furniture and musical instruments.
"Philippine Mahogany"
Philippine Mahogany (Shorea spp.) is not related to Honduras Mahogany, but is a tropical cedar. Four species of Shorea are commonly known as "Philippine Maghogany" for the purposes of boat building. USDA and USFS call these species of the Shorea genus "Meranti" as do many international lumber companies. This wood is also well known as "Lauan." However, on a world wide basis: most lumber concerns market softer and less dense species (yellow and white) of Shorea as "Lauan."
For the purposes of marketing Meranti and Lauan, the lumber is classified by density and color. The wood most often imported for boatbuilding in the US is DRM, or Dark Red Meranti. DRM is the most durable Meranti for boat building, but is more brittle and prone to splitting than LRM during carpentry. Some boats builders will avoid using it for this reason. LRM or Light Red Meranti is a favorite for boat building as well. The Meranti species have a coarser texture than Honduras Mahogany. The strength of Dark Red Meranti is moderately durable and comparable to that of Northern Red Oak.
The common names for lumber originating from Shorea include: Philippine Mahogany, Meranti, Lauan, Seraya, Pacific Maple, Red Rauan, Tangile (Philippines), Dark Red Seraya, Melapi, Obar suluk (Sabah), Saya (Thailand), Meranti ketuko (Indonesia), Nemesu (Malaya), and Alan (Sarawak).
Chris-Craft built boats with wood from Philippine forests. Shorea species that make up the white, yellow, light red and dark red Meranti and Lauan woods are found in many parts of Asia. Historically, there is some precedent for calling Shorea from the Philippines Lauan, and Shorea from Malaysia Meranti. What to call the wood today may be a moot point, as the forests used by Chris-Craft in the Philippines have long since disappeared.
I have held a piece of Meranti or Lauan in one hand and a piece of Honduras mahogany in the other and could not tell one from the other except by heft.
dark red meranti
light red meranti
note: the grain patterns can occur on either dark or light red meranti.
This mess had me confused for years. Hope it helps.
"Honduras Mahogany"
American Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is also known as Honduras Mahogany or True Mahogany. This is the mahogany prized by European and American boat and ship builders for centuries. It is a superior wood for building boats. Honduras Mahogany ranges from Southern Mexico through Central America and in South America to Bolivia. It occurs naturally and is grown on plantations. A related species, Cuban Mahogany was nearly extinct at the time of the Cuban revolution. A Pacific Coast Mahogany (Swietenia humilis) and a Caribbean Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) were once prized as boat building woods but are now on the endangered species list.
"African Mahogany"
African Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis and Khaya anthotheca) is not related to Honduras Mahogany and is therefore, not mahogany. African Mahogany is used for boatbuilding but is considered moderately durable and inferior for this purpose when compared to Honduras Mahogany. There are many species of Khaya comprising some of the most beautiful wood in the world. Varieties are used for furniture and musical instruments.
"Philippine Mahogany"
Philippine Mahogany (Shorea spp.) is not related to Honduras Mahogany, but is a tropical cedar. Four species of Shorea are commonly known as "Philippine Maghogany" for the purposes of boat building. USDA and USFS call these species of the Shorea genus "Meranti" as do many international lumber companies. This wood is also well known as "Lauan." However, on a world wide basis: most lumber concerns market softer and less dense species (yellow and white) of Shorea as "Lauan."
For the purposes of marketing Meranti and Lauan, the lumber is classified by density and color. The wood most often imported for boatbuilding in the US is DRM, or Dark Red Meranti. DRM is the most durable Meranti for boat building, but is more brittle and prone to splitting than LRM during carpentry. Some boats builders will avoid using it for this reason. LRM or Light Red Meranti is a favorite for boat building as well. The Meranti species have a coarser texture than Honduras Mahogany. The strength of Dark Red Meranti is moderately durable and comparable to that of Northern Red Oak.
The common names for lumber originating from Shorea include: Philippine Mahogany, Meranti, Lauan, Seraya, Pacific Maple, Red Rauan, Tangile (Philippines), Dark Red Seraya, Melapi, Obar suluk (Sabah), Saya (Thailand), Meranti ketuko (Indonesia), Nemesu (Malaya), and Alan (Sarawak).
Chris-Craft built boats with wood from Philippine forests. Shorea species that make up the white, yellow, light red and dark red Meranti and Lauan woods are found in many parts of Asia. Historically, there is some precedent for calling Shorea from the Philippines Lauan, and Shorea from Malaysia Meranti. What to call the wood today may be a moot point, as the forests used by Chris-Craft in the Philippines have long since disappeared.
I have held a piece of Meranti or Lauan in one hand and a piece of Honduras mahogany in the other and could not tell one from the other except by heft.
dark red meranti
light red meranti
note: the grain patterns can occur on either dark or light red meranti.
This mess had me confused for years. Hope it helps.