Marine plywood advice

Doryman · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: Marine plywood advice

So I am planning to buy some marine plywood to make a new seat for my inflatable. I have no idea what to ask for and would appreciate advice as to type, etc. The only kind I have heard of is Okume, as it is used often for boat hulls but IDK if it is the best kind for my application.

Thanks,
Warren

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:57 am Post subject:

Warren, I am not sure that you need to invest in marine plywood for something like a seat. Okume, also called gaboon, if I remember correctly is pretty damned expensive, and if it is just a seat... is overkill.

Personally, I would go down to a local lumberyard and pick up some good european or Canadian birch ply. Something with no voids and about 8 layers. It's not that expensive. Cut to size, router radius the edges, sand and stain/varnish...

I have the remains of a sheet in my shop that is destined to be exactly that... a seat for the dinghy...

Steve

Yellowstone · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:31 pm Post subject:

Warren - Steve's advice is sound. I've used marine plywood, including Okume, Douglas fir, and teak buiilding small craft. All are very expensive, especially teak ply. Okume is softer and stains nicely, but Doug fir is stronger but checks. The interior laminations of teak faced ply tend to be very solt. You can get cabinet grade Canadian birch ply in half inch thickness. That has nine laminations with very smooth outside surfaces.
If half inch is not enough structure for your dinghy's span, glue two pieces together. The laminations are glued with water proof glues. Also through trial and error, I have learned to create a teak stained finish on birch plywood. Start with dark walnut penetrating stain brushed or ragged on. Quickly, with clean, dry rags, rub the finish so it is even. Then follow with red oak penetrating stain and rub the finish in the same manner as before. The red oak blends in nicely and it looks like teak. You can experiment with small pieces of ply to arrive at the color you want. Make sure the surfaces are dry before putting any kind of sealer and/or exterior finish. The nice aspect of cabinet grade birch faced ply is that you need not sand the outer surfaces before you apply the final finish.

John

Adeline · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:23 pm Post subject:

Just stumbled onto this

Maybe ???

UncleRichie · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject:

Hi,
How big a piece do you need have some real mahogany from old sail boat ? If I have a piece big enough you can have it.
Richard

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:32 pm Post subject: