Mahogany has always been the traditional wood of yachting, both for planking hulls and for finishing interiors, and its nautical use dates back to ancient times by natives of the Caribbean and Central and South America who built canoes from mahogany trees. A dark- and reddish-brown wood, it has been listed as an endangered species, making it hard to acquire, and it has also fallen from design favor as well, in part because it can darken an interior.
Citadel’s latest launch
Anigre, as used extensively by Joe Artese on Miss Lisa, is one of the woods that is now popular in the yachting community. Technically labeled Aningeria superba, it has often been used for furniture-making since it can be stained to resemble the colors of walnut, cherry or oak. It’s easy to work with and, once dry, has almost no shrinkage, so joints will stay together for years.
It is not on any endangered species list, which makes it a popular wood for boatbuilders, and it is widely available in veneers for finishing cabinets and bulkheads. The grain is generally straight but can sometimes have an interesting figuring or mottled look that is almost three-dimensional and best used for tabletops or inlays.
Citadel’s latest launch
In the case of Miss Lisa, where everything from the bulkheads and furniture to the air handler vents have been made from anigre, one important feature is that it can be finished to an identical tone so there is a continuity to the interior.
With the teak-and-holly planking on the cabin soles, anigre is the perfect choice for a bright, warm and inviting yacht.
