Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Montana Marine Grade Plywood Sources

Hi all,

I finally got back to my project. I'm hoping to start building a model of The Bridges, 16 FT Rapid Robert real soon. After I get my modelling done, than I'm going to go full scale. In the meantime, I'm working on sourcing raw materials for the full scale version in preparation to starting.

I live in Townsend, MT so anything local to Bozeman or Helena would be handy. I've tried Helena Hardwoods but he doesn't source marine grade sheet goods. Any advice is appreciated!

Cheers,

Joe Gill

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Permalink Reply by Josh on March 12, 2013 at 6:42am

You could give Jason Cajune at Montana Boat Builders (just south of Livingston at Pine Creek) a call or drop him an e-mail. He might be able to sell you some sheets of plywood. I talked with him when I built my boat a few years ago and would have sold me some sheets but I ended up going to Portland for a week and got mine from Crosscut Hardwoods. About the only place in Bozeman that I found that could get marine plywood was Simkin Hallins in Bozeman and they could only get marine grade doug fir. If you need any dimensional lumber for gunwhales, trim and such and Helena Hardwoods can't get it Intermountain Wood Products in Belgrade probably could. They might even be able to get marine grade plywood. Good luck with your search. Let me know what you find out.

Josh

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Gill on March 12, 2013 at 7:52am

Thanks for the reply! I contacted Sandy from Montana Boat Builders and he said that he didn't know of anyone in Montana that stocked Marine grade plywood. I'm going to go talk to a local wood supplier in Townsend and see if he can even order it. I know he has some marine grade fir (3/4 and 1/2") but I'd rather not use that unless I absolutely have to. For that matter, I'm pretty certain that the Depot in Helena stocks marine grade fir and it's not that badly priced. I have to go check again.

I do know that Helena Hardwoods does have some exotics and oak. I think I can get all of my frame materials, chine logs and sheer rails from him. I'm hoping I can stop in and visit him on Friday and see for certain.

I'll keep you posted. I'm not in a huge rush to get it but I'd like to at least have a plan.

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Permalink Reply by Josh on March 12, 2013 at 8:31am

Sandy is Montana River Boats here in Bozeman...Jason is Montana Boat Builders or I guess now Cajune Boats . Sandy would definetely know though! Both are great guys and I built Sandy's Honky Dory which has been a great boat. Not sure what type of finishes your going to do to the floor/bottom of the boat but if you not going to go with a bright finish I'd just use marine grade fir as it is cheaper. Atleast it was when I built my boat by about $30.00 a sheet. I used Okoume for everything else. Good luck!