Utilization of Rubber Wood for Fishing Canoe Construction

Abstract

The wood from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) comes as a by-product from the commercial plantations. The highly perishable nature of the wood makes it unsuitable for use such as boat building without chemical preservative treatment. This communication deals with the chemical preservative treatment of rubber wood with copper- chrome- arsenic (CCA), a water borne preservative and creosote an oil borne preservative through immersion in an open tank for the purpose of fishing canoe construction. The fabrication of the canoes was as per the method of construction of plank built canoes. Two canoes were made, one for use in brackish water and the other for use in the sea. The cost of construction was found to be lower than that of the conventional canoe. The performance monitoring shows that the canoes are free from physical damage and deterioration caused due to weathering and biological agencies.