Bahama Smack

[Alan Peck]

I recently read an article about a gentlemen restoring a 39' Bahama Smack that was built in 1946. The article said the boat was constructed with Abaco Pine and a red-grained wood called Horseflesh.

Just curious, does anyone have any idea what "Horseflesh" is?

[paladin]

...first ya skins the horse......

[Alan Peck]

As soon as I sent the message, I knew that would be the first reply!

[john anson]

Hi Alan This wood is still used by Mr Winer Malone of Hopetown in the Abacos who still makes a 12' Abaco Dinghy by hand using no power tools at all; it is very much like a really tight wild grained Mahogany, he uses it for the ribs; after soaking it in seawater for a few months, its the same color as mahogany too. It is the only localy grown wood still available and i doubt you would get anything longer than 3' to4' hence its use for ribs. Hope this helps

[Alan Peck]

Thanks: That's what I thought it might be.

Alan

[ahp]

Would this be Casuarina Equesetifolia, sometimes called horsetail tree? If it is, it is native to the Pacific islands but has been introduced into the Bahamas and grows prolifically. I have seen it growing in the ditches along the roads in south Florida. It resembles a pine but it is not.

It is considered a pest tree in some places.