tjshuler
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Messages
- 123
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 53' MOTOR YACHT (1969 - 1988)
I received some really bad advice from a sailor (I should have known 
) regarding how to refinish exterior wood on Da 53. Fast forward to today, handrails ahead of wing doors were all sanded down to bare wood and presently have 4 coats of Bristol finish on them. Want to put another 4 before the end of the season.
Pilot house doors were sanded bare and refinished about 8 years ago. They have been a train wreck for the last two years. They are presently being brought back to bare wood and then will have similar Bristol application.
The lower veneer 1/4" plywood insert on all 4 exterior doors will be replaced. I chose Sapelle. It is nice to work with, has a similar appearance to mahogany or teak. Not an exact match, but the boat is 45 years old and should be able to express a little contrast here and there. The Sapelle will be just shy of 3/4". Interior trim will look the same. Exterior will be flush with the other wood on the door. Will put a suitable trim around the Sapelle insert.
The lower 8" of the starboard pilot house door is not salvageable. It is now in the rubbish bin. I bought a piece of African mahogany and have milled it to thickness. Will pin it to the original door with 3/8" dowel pins. The two vertical styles will have Dutchmen on the lower 8 inches. The lower rail will be mahogany.
I will have to darken the original wood on the doors as the mahogany is a little darker and redder. This part makes me nervous as I am an engineer, not an artist.
Regardless, the door will look a lot nicer when completed later this week than it did when I pulled it off of the boat.
I have read that the handrails are teak. No, they are mahogany, no, they are teak. Same for the doors. Is there a definitive answer regarding the species of wood to make both the handrails and exterior doors?
The mahogany I bought is darker and redder. I have a piece of teak in the shop and it is also much darker.
I welcome the groups infinite knowledge regarding this subject.
) regarding how to refinish exterior wood on Da 53. Fast forward to today, handrails ahead of wing doors were all sanded down to bare wood and presently have 4 coats of Bristol finish on them. Want to put another 4 before the end of the season. Pilot house doors were sanded bare and refinished about 8 years ago. They have been a train wreck for the last two years. They are presently being brought back to bare wood and then will have similar Bristol application.
The lower veneer 1/4" plywood insert on all 4 exterior doors will be replaced. I chose Sapelle. It is nice to work with, has a similar appearance to mahogany or teak. Not an exact match, but the boat is 45 years old and should be able to express a little contrast here and there. The Sapelle will be just shy of 3/4". Interior trim will look the same. Exterior will be flush with the other wood on the door. Will put a suitable trim around the Sapelle insert.
The lower 8" of the starboard pilot house door is not salvageable. It is now in the rubbish bin. I bought a piece of African mahogany and have milled it to thickness. Will pin it to the original door with 3/8" dowel pins. The two vertical styles will have Dutchmen on the lower 8 inches. The lower rail will be mahogany.
I will have to darken the original wood on the doors as the mahogany is a little darker and redder. This part makes me nervous as I am an engineer, not an artist.
Regardless, the door will look a lot nicer when completed later this week than it did when I pulled it off of the boat.
I have read that the handrails are teak. No, they are mahogany, no, they are teak. Same for the doors. Is there a definitive answer regarding the species of wood to make both the handrails and exterior doors?
The mahogany I bought is darker and redder. I have a piece of teak in the shop and it is also much darker.
I welcome the groups infinite knowledge regarding this subject.
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