marine plywood

[rick watling]

I'd like to know what the best marine plywood is for structural applications. Should I get the "Joubert Okoume" or a cheaper product??

 

[Pogo123]

Re: marine plywood

There are, generally available, three types of top grade marine ply:<br /><br />Okoume, Meranti (two grades) and XL marine Fir<br /><br />Okoume and Meranti are the top of the line in lack of voids, glue quality and surface finish. Marine fir is fine for interior work, but takes more work to produce a really fine finish on exposed pieces.<br /><br />Cheaper grades of fir can be found, for sure, but in this case, I think you do get what you pay for.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: marine plywood

Go with BS1088 certified Meranti. It is the best $ value of those listed. It is high quality, very strong and a dream to work with.

 

[andy6374]

Re: marine plywood

Go with Marine fir. You will mostly like find grade A-B. It's the glass work and fairing which makes a quality, smooth finish surface (not the wood).<br /><br />What are you planning on doing with the wood?

 

[rick watling]

Re: marine plywood

I stripped all wood from from hull exept transom which is in good shape. I already replaced stringers with 3/4 double layer pt plywood because my restoration deadline is coming quickly.(wife expecting in may). I ordered the "okoume" march 1st from local lumber supplier and it seems they are getting ****ed around from their marine supplier.. I don't know what to do. I want marine grade but I might have to settle for less.

 

[andy6374]

Re: marine plywood

Any quality lumber yard will carry marine grade ply. It doesn't have to okoume, marine grade fir is just fine. Expect to pay ~ $80 for a sheet of 3/4"

 

[fishingdan]

Re: marine plywood

What are you going to use the wood for? It sounds like you have already done the stringers and the transom is good. Is this for the floor? <br /><br />I have to disagree with you Andy. I live in MA not far from the RI boarder and I have found very vew yards that carry marine ply in stock. There a couple of places on the north shore, but they only sell 3/4" fir. <br /><br />Rick: Maine Coast Lumber is an alternative for you. They have regular weekly delivery routes throughout New England and for a small delivery fee, they will bring the wood to your front door. They carry several flavors of marine ply (fir, meranti, okoume, and a few others). Their prices are good and they are very easy to work with. I have ordered Meranti on several occassions and the product has been excellent.<br />www.mainecoastlumber.com

 

[rick watling]

Re: marine plywood

I'm going to replace flooring inside cabin and engine compartment also I want to add a layer on transom to beef it up. I have a 24' 1982 Bayliner, it seems to me that it was built poorly without any marine grade material and thin glasswork over original ply. The glass cracked in the engine compartment which got stringers wet and it wicked up the bow. I found this because I had a gas leak in tank. I'm also retiring its original 3.8l v6 and volvo drive with a shiny new mercruiser v8 bravo1. Other than that The boat is Mint! I don't think I could ever part with her!

 

[fishingdan]

Re: marine plywood

That sounds like a nice boat. Bayliner took some short-cuts during that period, but once those areas are repaired, they are nice boats. <br /><br />You don't need Okoume for that type of repair. You could use Meranti, marine fir or even good home building exterior ply if you can find it. Encapsulate the ply with epoxy.

 

[andy6374]

Re: marine plywood

fishingdan-<br />That's surprising to know that Marine grade fir is hard to come by in the bay state. It is easy enough to get here in RI, so since you guys are right next door I just assumed it wouldn't be hard to come by. Good to know.

 

[Always Broke]

Re: marine plywood

I know I’m out of my league here when it comes to discussing marine grade plywood, I usually buy regular outdoor grade and coat it with resin and cloth to keep it from cracking for the type of unexposed work I do with it. Lowe’s home improvement in my area (I live in Florida) does have it though but I’m not sure of the type or grade, you may want to give them a try and see what they have or can order for you if you have one close enough. When I order something there they usually have it within the next week.

 

[Bondo]

Re: marine plywood

also I want to add a layer on transom to beef it up.

Be Careful,...........<br /><br />The Transom Thickness,.... HAS to be between 2",+ 2 1/8th" Thick for that Mercruiser.........<br /><br />No More, & No Less..........

 

[fishingdan]

Re: marine plywood

Andy, the only locally (eastern MA and northern RI) stocked marine fir that I found when I was building my boat was 3/4". <br /><br />If you don't mind, which lumber yards stock it? I am working on a project now where fir is appropriate and I only need 2 sheets.

 

[andy6374]

Re: marine plywood

The first place I looked had actually (maybe luck). <br /><br />-Eagle Lumber in Warwick, RI on Post Rd.<br />$79.95 for 3/4" and less for 1/2"<br /><br />It's A-B marine grade fir. (A-B is what you are looking for, B-B is alright if that's all you can find_<br /><br />-Arnold's Lumber in Wakefield, RI on Main Ave.<br />$...very expensive couldn't remember the price but it was more expensive than eagle.<br /><br />-Alantic Plywood... it is in North Providence, RI (I think).<br /><br />There could be more, but I didn't research it that much. I would deal with Eagle Lumber if I was you, they usually have 8-10 sheets of 1/2" and 3/4" in stock.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: marine plywood

try here<br /><br /> http://www.noahsmarine.com/United_States/Plywoods-us/plywoods-us.html

 

[97 Party Barge]

Re: marine plywood

check out this site, 65$ I redecked my entire pontoon, high quality 7 ply or better, they have additional items for rebuilding such as seats, bimini tops, consoles, and anything else! shipping is free too! marine plywood

 

[dpfundst]

Re: marine plywood

I used the guys;<br /> http://store.yahoo.com/hardwoodint/marharplyw.html <br /><br />I used the Teak Plywood along with some teak doors for my Center Console. <br /><br />they have all type of marine plywood<br /><br />I live on Cape Cod (MA) had no luck locally

 

[fishingdan]

Re: marine plywood

Originally posted by andy6374:<br /> The first place I looked had actually (maybe luck). <br /><br />-Eagle Lumber in Warwick, RI on Post Rd.<br />$79.95 for 3/4" and less for 1/2"<br /><br />It's A-B marine grade fir. (A-B is what you are looking for, B-B is alright if that's all you can find_<br /><br />-Arnold's Lumber in Wakefield, RI on Main Ave.<br />$...very expensive couldn't remember the price but it was more expensive than eagle.<br /><br />-Alantic Plywood... it is in North Providence, RI (I think).<br /><br />There could be more, but I didn't research it that much. I would deal with Eagle Lumber if I was you, they usually have 8-10 sheets of 1/2" and 3/4" in stock.

Thanks Andy. You demonstrated the issue I was having at the time. When I found it, it wasn't the right size. I needed 3/8" for my previous boat. I will go to those listed for a transom I am replacing....Thanks