ac plywood

[varns]

I have started my first rebuild and my question is can I use ac plywood for deck and transom. Marine plywood is just so expensive

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ac plywood

Properly sealed, regular exterior plywood is fine and many of us have used it. The Arauco ply from Lowes is particularly nice.

 

[varns]

Re: ac plywood

Ok one more question I have is would 3/4 in be enuf for my transom its a 14' fishing boat rated for a 35 hp motor

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ac plywood

Any idea what it was originally? The ones I've dealt with have been double that but we're talking much higher HP ratings (90 and 150).

 

[varns]

Re: ac plywood

not really sure what it was before it was so water logged and rotten it was hard to tell look like about an inch for were the old fiberglass was

 

[goboating]

Re: ac plywood

I had a 12 1/2 ft Mirrocraft V-hull that I replaced the transom in. To get the thickness I needed I used double thick 3/4 plywood(to get my 11/2) glued and screwed together. I then sealed it up with some really good marine paint. Did great.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: ac plywood

Yeah, I suspect GB is correct. It was probably 1 1/2 " so two pieces of AC FIR Exterior Plywood Glued together with TITEBOND II wood Glue would do the trick. I'd recommend sealing the edges with 10 minute epoxy and then Painting with two coats of Rustoleum's Professional Oil Based Paint. Would Last a LONG time. If you want it to last for a VERY long time you could buy a gallon of polyester resin from Lowes along with a couple of yards of Chopped strand Mat and coat the wood with that and it would last for decades.

 

[zopperman]

Re: ac plywood

When you did this did you replace the stringers?

 

[varns]

Re: ac plywood

Ok thanks guys big help would never had the courage to do this without this forum thightbondII and the 10 min epoxy can I get those at a lumber yard

 

[varns]

Re: ac plywood

When you did this did you replace the stringers?

I haven't made it to the stringers yet its a working progress

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: ac plywood

Let me add one thing on the glue....I actually contacted Titebond a while back and they recommend Titebond III Ulitimate Wood Glue for these applications. It's the same price and has a better waterproof rating, for marine applications.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: ac plywood

Yep CW is correct I left off a "I" Titebond III is the one I meant. And yes both can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[lakelover]

Re: ac plywood

I've had excellent results with Gorilla glue too.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ac plywood

I've had excellent results with Gorilla glue too.

Just be careful of and prepared for the messy expansion. Heck of a good glue though.

 

[varns]

Re: ac plywood

Thanks everyone been a great help for my first boat project

 

[lakelover]

Re: ac plywood

Just be careful of and prepared for the messy expansion. Heck of a good glue though.

EZ, I didn't have much problem with that, I was surprised at how little oozed out as it cured. I was afraid I had put it on too thin. But recently, my brother and I cut it down a little across the top with a band saw to adjust the height, and we were impressed by the look of the inside, real tight & looked just like a single piece of wood. Hope I don't get any surprises in a few years!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: ac plywood

I used exterior ply AC sanded from Lowes. the 3/4" was around 40 dollars a sheet I think. Maybe a little less.