
As a boat builder, you are probably aware that J. Gibson McIlvain imports more FEQ Teak lumber than almost any other lumber supplier in the U.S. Because of that fact, we have established a reputation with luxury boat builders, having supplied them with the golden Teak with consistent grain that they need for wide cover boards, toe rails, decking and other marine applications. Because we understand the specific needs of the boat building industry, we are uniquely poised to fulfill your specialty orders — for either Teak or any other seaworthy species.
Teak in the Sizes Boat Builders Need
Sourcing FEQ Teak is difficult enough; finding it in the particular widths and thicknesses required for boat building applications can seem nearly impossible. Here at J. Gibson McIlvain, however, we travel to Southeast Asia in order to supply our boat-building customers with precisely the lumber their industry requires; for instance, we frequently stock extremely wide and long Teak boards suitable for yacht cover boards and solid counter top interiors, as well as boards with widths exceeding 24 inches and lengths topping 16 feet.

Other Species Boat Builders Request
Some boat builders are responding to Teak shortages (and climbing prices) by using alternative species, such as Walnut. However, such a change requires value engineering that takes into consideration the different characteristics of a new species. If you’re considering a species previously foreign to your boat building operation, feel free to ask us about it, first. We can help inform you of potential obstacles on the front end, saving your design team valuable time and effort.

Millwork for Boat Builders
In addition to the lumber needed for exterior applications, many high-end yachts incorporate cabinetry, millwork, and mouldings, too. Species such as Maple, Cherry, and Mahogany are favorites, and J. Gibson McIlvain can supply any of those. Because we also have a full in-house millworks with exceptional quality control, we can create unique profiles designed by your team and actually produce whatever millwork your boat designs require.

Top Quality Marine-Grade Plywood
As an added bonus, J. Gibson McIlvain can also furnish your marine-grade plywood needs. We realize that plywood substrates must meet British standard 1088 in order to truly withstand the harsh conditions to which boats are subjected. Knowing that marine plywood must also be lightweight, we supply our customers with the highest quality Okoume plywood for facing surfaces, as well as Douglas Fir plywood for other surfaces. Exceptionally smooth Okoume surfaces are ideal for taking fiberglass, paint, or veneer finishes. Because of an increasing demand for marine grade plywood, many companies offer light craft kits, which may or may not be suitable for your needs; to discover whether those would be a good fit for you, contact us and let us know your needs.