WOOD INFORMATION

Belian (Eusideroxylon Zwageri)
The hull structure was built from Eusideroxylon Zwageri, known locally as Belian, which has natural properties that are hard to beat, both by other woods, as well as materials such as fibreglass or metals. Furthermore, each of the Belian pieces used to create the Raja Laut's hull structure - the planking, frames and stringers - was carefully selected. We accepted only the longest pieces: defect-free and quarter sawn. Then there is the thickness of the planking, the size and spacing of the frames, the stringers, the quality of the workmanship, and so on, all contributing to create an exceptional hull.

Belian is one of the worlds hardest and heaviest woods: harder, heavier and more durable than Teak, Ebony, Mahogany or Iroko, and one of the most exceptionally naturally durable hardwood species in existence. In the 2005 Australian Standards report on Timber Preservation and Durability Belian achieved the highest durability ratings out of all the woods studied (including Burmese Teak).

In the same report Belian was given a probable "marine-borer-resistance" life expectancy of 60+ years in southern waters (shorter in tropical waters). This resistance estimate is for untreated/unprotected timber, therefore with proper maintenance and use of anti-fouling protection, Raja Laut's Belian hull will likely last for 100 years or more.

Another property of Belian is its very high density which means that it would overwhelmingly satisfy the criteria for fire retardant timbers in Australian Standards 3959 on the Construction of Buildings in Bush Fire Prone Areas.

Belian is native and endemic to Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, and the southern Philippines. However, Belian is increasingly scarce, in most areas protected, and no longer available on the international market.

Other woods used in the construction include -

Deck: Burmese Teak
Deckhouse & interior (walls/furniture): Selangan Batu
Interior Floors: Merbau