: I like the idea of plantation grown wood (call me a tree-hugger). Based on a
: quick web search, there is a lot if activity in growing Paulownia. Some
: mechanical properties data can be found at the International Development
: Centre link.

I was with you right up until this little tidbit:

"Paulownia wood has a beautiful gloss like spun silk, straight grain and no odour. But as it contains polyphenol material stained spots appear on furniture made of Paulownia wood within several years or even several months. In order to solve this problem, apart from soaking wood in clear water for decolourisation before processing, particular attention should be paid to the proper felling seasons, which are autumn and winter, avoiding the growing seasons."

It would really piss me off to spend several hundred hours on a boat that developed speckles months or years later. Comments?