I have some mahogany moulding scraps that have a profile that is approximately that of the cross section of a kayak's cockpit coaming. I have in mind to cut several small slices of this moulding to form a curved section comprising the coaming of the boat. I may separate the slices with contrasting hardwood (walnut or padouk, more garage sale scraps) slices cut into triangles to give the arc to the whole affair. I plan to make a nice fillet on the underside of the cockpit recess to strengthen the recess/coaming joint.

I installed internal stems at the start made from cedar, and they'll stay in the boat. But I like the thought of external stems too. Would this mahogany (more scraps from the same project, not the moulding though) be suitable for this part of the boat? Sawn into verrrrry thin strips and glue laminated around the keel at the bow and stern.

So the (inevitable) question: Is this wood suitable for this purpose? I have not heard of any mahogany - fiberglass warnings. Walnut? Padouk? (I think it's padouk, it's hard, heavy and ORANGE). What about making a coaming with joints in this direction (vertical), and no horizontal pieces? Will it be sufficiently strong? I'll fiberglass the whole affair according to Nick's book.

Come to think about it, I will post some pictures of the materials in question for the experts to examine.

Thanks in advance.

Ed Valley