Plastic plywood?

[derail]

Im redecking my Ski Barge and found a lumber store that sales plastic plywood in 4x8 foot sheets. They say you can cut it just like regular plywood. The only catch is its 100 bucks a sheet and I will need at least 3 but it will save me alot of fiber glass work. Just wondering has anybody used it before.

 

[NC waterboy]

Re: Plastic plywood?

http://www.ecoplasticwood.com/ecosheet/

I've never used it but it would be nice to know it's strength versus plywood's. There is contact info on the link above and they may have that info. I'll probably research a bit myself.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Plastic plywood?

Certainly sounds worth investigating. It is doubtful that it will have anywhere near the strength of plywood though so you'll really want to beef up the support underneath. Actually sounds pretty cost effective though since fiberglassing materials aren't exactly cheap. I don't know how your boat was originally constructed but was the existing deck connected to the hull sides in any way? If it was, then the deck was probably an important structural component of the hull. You won't be able to fiberglass tab in a plastic deck because I doubt the glass would stick. Just something to consider.

 

[imported_rick]

Re: Plastic plywood?

When I redecked my boat I used 1/4" thick fiber-glassed-faced plastic sheets. The fiberglass was pressed onto the plastic. But under the plastic is 1/2" plywood. The fiberglass allowed me to make the connection to the hull. There's a picture of the plastic in my resto thread - post #9 I think.

 

[derail]

Re: Plastic plywood?

Thanks fellows. Im going put alittle more research into it. I was thinking 3m 5200 would do the job of joinning it to the hull. It works great on other parts of my projects!!!!!!

 

[kilowatts]

Re: Plastic plywood?

Hi Guys:

In my boat I replaced a teak grating with a plywood hatch covered in deck vinyl matched to the fiberglass deck. I favorably considered using "Starboard" brand material but sadly the span between the supports would have been too much. In my opinion while all of the "recycled, plastic plywood" is a fabulous idea the material has its limits, one of the most important being the tendency of the material to slump between supports.
In Puerto Vallarta along the Malecon the City has installed some roofing material for the public lavatories made out of "Trex" brand material. It's very attractive and has lasted in the scorching sun and harsh marine atmosphere for some years now but its started to slump between the supports and this, if memory serves, is with 2 X 6 material on edge. I think these types of product have a definite future for marine use after some more R&D.

kilowatts

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Plastic plywood?

My brother found a product called Daytona Board which he purchased from Essex plastics in Daytona Beach, FL and used for a sole.

Worked like wood, I thought it was a little heavy though if I remember correctly but I'm not sure of the difference.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Plastic plywood?

Thanks fellows. Im going put alittle more research into it. I was thinking 3m 5200 would do the job of joinning it to the hull. It works great on other parts of my projects!!!!!!

I can attest to the fact that when they say 5200 won't stick to Starboard.......they ain't kiddin'!

 

[burninman]

Re: Plastic plywood?

A friend of mine re-decked his pontoon boat with plasticized deck boards, same 5 1/4 inch stuff you can get at lowes, meant to make the deck on your house last forever, and it turned out beautiful. It is a good bit heavier than equivalent lumber though, I'm sure it slowed it down a bit.