Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

What type of plywood do you use...and why?

I've been searching the site for comparison of the various types of marine plywood, and I can't seem to find a string. So, what's the consensus on the best type of marine grade plywood for a drifter. I see a number of people mention the type they are using for their boat, but never (ok, maybe not never) an argument for why they chose one type over another. Are some types better in certain conditions than others? Is one more forgiving than another? Does one hold a better natural color than another? Or does it really matter, as long as you are getting "marine grade"?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 6, 2014 at 10:12pm

Hello Mike,

Here is series of past posts discussing plywood and wood selection. Hope it helps.

http://www.woodenboatpeople.com/forum/topics/wood-for-a-new-boat?co...

Here's some information on plywood and how it's made. Again I hope it answers a few questions.

http://www.worldpanel.com/FAQ.htm

Rick N

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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on March 7, 2014 at 3:01pm

Hey Mike,

I generally use Meranti (Hydrotek) for Drift Boats. The main reason I like it is I can get it at a reasonable price & it looks really nice with a clear finish and it is good quality. It is heavier than Fir. I really like Fir cuz it is lighter and arguably stronger (I use it on the bottom even on Meranti boats) and contrary to popular opinion I still get very good quality Fir except for the appearance. All Fir now is not old growth (don't know what that would be called) so the grain patterns are ridiculous making matching panels nearly impossible for a clear boat. Sepeli is amazing plywood but not locally available for me and $$$$ to ship. Okume is very high quality but not very durable, I like to use it in Lake Prams to keep the weight down.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on March 8, 2014 at 12:44pm

Good advice from Rick and Mike. My local supplier won't stock DF as the quality is bad. Any thing you get must have odd number of plies 3,5,7, etc. Each ply should be the same thickness. Once had a store try to sell me "marine" PW with 4 plies the inner 2 were much thicker than the outer "skins". Also some of the big box stores sell what they call "Patriot" PW- its exterior glue but made of eucalyptus- good for patterns but that all I would use it for

Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on March 8, 2014 at 1:00pm

Fir for bottoms. 1/2" or 5/8".

I have used Meranti. on three boats for hull sides. Oils well, takes glue and tooling well. High quality. BS1088 Hydrotek.

Newest boat uses fir for the entire hull. I purchased some decent 1/4" fir. few patches and nice looking. It oils well and tools fine. I'm painting the outer hull of this one, so I got a deal on some less than perfect "b" sides. The A faces are very good.

I have not used the other exotics as they have been cost prohibitive

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Permalink Reply by Riverman on March 12, 2014 at 12:34am

Anyone know where to purchase Meranti ply on the east coast? thanks

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 12, 2014 at 7:46am

Here's a source for wood availability nationwide: http://www.woodfinder.com/

Good Luck

Rick N

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Permalink Reply by Claude Langlois on March 12, 2014 at 8:19am

Not sure where you are in the east but for NE there is Maine Coast Lumber

Goosebay Lumber (NH Concord area)

They have Fir, Okume, Marenti and Sapelle.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on March 13, 2014 at 7:33pm

Homestead Marine in Vickery Ohio. have all of it- Meranti, Occume, Sapele, ribbon stripe and Teak. On the western end of Lake Erie near Sandusky. will ship it to you as well.