Has anyone built a boat with Marine Plywood

MotorMan101

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Sep 28, 2022
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I am thinking about making a costume boat and keep hearing I need to use marine plywood. Does anyone have a good place I can read up on technics for construction? I have built full size 14ft t0 18ft boats for racing in cardboard boat races before and gotten extremely good at it and am basically looking to get to make something I can actually put a motor on for a change.
 

JimS123

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I "built" my first boat 54 years ago in my grandpa's garage. She sported a 40 HP Lark, and later a 60 HP Triumph. Yes, you need marine plywood, silicon bronze screws and red marine glue.

Google Clark Craft, woodenboat.com and GlenL marine. Or just google building a wooden boat.

There are plans and actual kits available, that include most of the parts.

Get a book and read up. Too much to talk about on the internet. KIt's a quite worthwhile endeavor.
1665704292045.jpeg
 

MotorMan101

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Sep 28, 2022
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I "built" my first boat 54 years ago in my grandpa's garage. She sported a 40 HP Lark, and later a 60 HP Triumph. Yes, you need marine plywood, silicon bronze screws and red marine glue.

Google Clark Craft, woodenboat.com and GlenL marine. Or just google building a wooden boat.

There are plans and actual kits available, that include most of the parts.

Get a book and read up. Too much to talk about on the internet. KIt's a quite worthwhile endeavor.
View attachment 371659
Wow, that boat looks Amazing!! Thanks for the information on the screws I hadn't thought about there being different types. I will look into kits too there's way more out there than I thought so, lots of options... :)
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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50-70 years ago, if you wanted a boat, you had to build it.

also, if you plan on putting a motor on it, you want a design that has been approved by a naval architect like the Glen-L kits, etc.
 

Texasmark

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Dec 20, 2005
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I "built" my first boat 54 years ago in my grandpa's garage. She sported a 40 HP Lark, and later a 60 HP Triumph. Yes, you need marine plywood, silicon bronze screws and red marine glue.

Google Clark Craft, woodenboat.com and GlenL marine. Or just google building a wooden boat.

There are plans and actual kits available, that include most of the parts.

Get a book and read up. Too much to talk about on the internet. KIt's a quite worthwhile endeavor.
View attachment 371659
........and oak frames. I tested that red/purple (forget which) on 2 pieces of White Oak glued together in a +. The Oak splintered while the glue held fast as I was able to get it separated....a trying experience. One of the attributes of Marine Plywood is the laminations/thickness. I'd guess 2x or so the strength of regular plywood per thickness....meaning more strength, less weight. Mine started out to be 14' semi-V but wound up with a John bow because I didn't have the tools nor expertise to get the V bow correct. But for a 15ish year old I got it finished and my 18 Rude moved it right along.

Wooden boats in the Houston area used 1/4 Marine on bay boats as long as 16', 6' beam, deck and windshield, twin 35 HP engines (as big as Johnnyrude/Gayle built at the time)....I think Holmes as I remember (at least starts with an H and is not Higgins). One builder, may have been Yellow Jacket Boats, were molded plywood...they were popular in 14-15 lengths with Merc Mark55, 40 Hp. engines
 

Lou C

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There's a guy on the hull truth forum who built a Toleman, check it out, beautiful boat, a tree fell on it in a storm and he was able to repair it himself.
 

jbcurt00

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There's a Tolman build posted here, 1 of the Starcraft tin guys built it in his garage

And another
 

racerone

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find----noah's marine supplies----------Been around a long time.-----A " candy store " for someone building a wooden boat.----Lots of information on materials too.----Great name for a marine business too.
 

HRG

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Jul 16, 2022
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I am thinking about making a costume boat and keep hearing I need to use marine plywood. Does anyone have a good place I can read up on technics for construction? I have built full size 14ft t0 18ft boats for racing in cardboard boat races before and gotten extremely good at it and am basically looking to get to make something I can actually put a motor on for a change.
Guess your post is a joke for Halloween. I had to google "costume boat" and found this among other examples:

matteo-boat.jpg
 

JimS123

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I read post #1 and googled "costume boat", so I understood at the onset. But when he said put on a motor, I assumed he was talking about a REAL boat and that he was serious.

If it truly was a joke, then he should go, well, you know what. But I'll wait till he comes back to pass judgement.
 

roscoe

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Two of my uncles built a flat bottom row boat back in the ‘50s.

Plain old 1/2”plywood and several coats of enamel paint.

Grandma used that boat until 1979 when dad gave her our old 14’ aluminum boat.

Brother in law is building a cedar strip drift boat now, with plans from some famous?? Fisherman in Idaho.
 

JimS123

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Two of my uncles built a flat bottom row boat back in the ‘50s.

Plain old 1/2”plywood and several coats of enamel paint.

Grandma used that boat until 1979 when dad gave her our old 14’ aluminum boat.

Brother in law is building a cedar strip drift boat now, with plans from some famous?? Fisherman in Idaho.
The key is that the plywood be made with waterproof glue. Exterior grade meets that requirement but its not solid core. Marine plywood is good both sides AND solid core.
 

MotorMan101

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Sep 28, 2022
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I read post #1 and googled "costume boat", so I understood at the onset. But when he said put on a motor, I assumed he was talking about a REAL boat and that he was serious.

If it truly was a joke, then he should go, well, you know what. But I'll wait till he comes back to pass judgement.
I was asking about real boat building, but I did miss type and that photo is funny :)
 

MotorMan101

Seaman
Joined
Sep 28, 2022
Messages
73
Two of my uncles built a flat bottom row boat back in the ‘50s.

Plain old 1/2”plywood and several coats of enamel paint.

Grandma used that boat until 1979 when dad gave her our old 14’ aluminum boat.

Brother in law is building a cedar strip drift boat now, with plans from some famous?? Fisherman in Idaho.
Wow, regular plywood lasted 29 years that's really cool!! I don't know if I will go with it still, but it does open up a cheaper option to just try building if I want and not spend as much...
 

JimS123

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50-70 years ago, if you wanted a boat, you had to build it.
My Dad bought his boat in 1939 as a high schooler with a part time job. It was a Sears Roebuck 14 footer and Grandpa supplied the 4 HP Wizard. They transported it on top of my Uncle's Model A to Grandpa's cottage twice a year.. I don't know what it cost.

The family used that boat until 1961 when Grandpa lost his job and had to sell the cottage. Dad sold the boat for $25.

I distinctly remember 1962 - 1963 when we used to walk down the street to a local boat dealer. A 16 foot wood runabout with a 25HP and trailer cost about $1600. In 1968 Dad bought a VW Beetle for $1800. Mom wanted a second car and would not stand for having another boat instead.

In 1968 I HAD to have a boat and bought the above 16' Kit for $165. The paint kit was another $25, the hardware kit was $192, the Holsclaw trailer (kit) cost $205 and the 40 HP Lark was $685. So, the total of $1300 I beat the store bought price. The difference was that it took 2 years to finish so the cost got amortized over that period.

Nevertheless, cost isn't everything. A family affair the has lasted for almost 70 years is priceless.

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