Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

[dcollicott]

I'm restoring my Father-in-la's 1959 MFG Celeron, which has a fiberglass hull and a wood deck. The wood covering the bow was damaged beyond repair, so I'm replacing it.

The original was 1/4" (6mm) 3-ply. Everything I've found in 1/4" his 5-ply (per Lloyd's BS 1088). I'd like to use the same stuff if I can, but I'm starting to think that's not going to be possible because I can't find it anywhere. I realize the 5-ply will be stronger, but we don't walk on it. My thinking is that a 3-ply will have a thicker face veneer and the chances that a if something nicks it that the damage is less likely to go through the top layer.

Any ideas?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

Since it is above the water line, maybe go with ABX - might give you more options w/regard to number of plys?

If worried about nicks to top layer, why not glass over the plywood?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

It would be helpful to know roughly where you're located, marine 3-ply available to me in WV (it's not by the way) may or may not be available to someone in Puerto Rico. Or wherever you are....

It looks like you have a wood bow cap in the pix @your iBoats avatar. If you want that look, okoume plywood is a very close substitute. It is available here, in both 4X8 & 5X10 sheets. I don't know the # of ply laminations. They will also trim the sheets down into rough cut pieces so it might be easier to ship, it's $1+/- per cut.

I suspect that you are correct, 3ply = possibly thicker face layers, I think mostly because it only has 3 layers and for rigidity & strength, thin 1/64", outer veneer layers wouldn't do much for you.

Glass & or epoxy would certainly add to the strength & protect against nicks & dings. But drop a 20+lb non-mushroom style anchor on it, and nicks will be the least of your worries...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

A man after my own Heart. My Name sake WOOD ON GLASS!!! My first boat was a 1958 Crosby Wood On Glass. JB is correct. Your location will dictate the wood you can get. If she were mine I'd be using regular 1/4" ply sealed with Epoxy and then doing a alternating Walnut/Maple 2" strip overlay on top of that and make her look like the classic Chris Crafts. That's gunna be my next project. Find an old Glass hull, cut the top off and make a Wood-On-Glass Special!!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

A man after my own Heart. My Name sake WOOD ON GLASS!!! My first boat was a 1958 Crosby Wood On Glass. JB is correct. Your location will dictate the wood you can get. If she were mine I'd be using regular 1/4" ply sealed with Epoxy and then doing a alternating Walnut/Maple 2" strip overlay on top of that and make her look like the classic Chris Crafts. That's gunna be my next project. Find an old Glass hull, cut the top off and make a Wood-On-Glass Special!!!!

I look forward to that. Well and that other thing your dragging tail getting wet Lord: I apologize for that right there, I shouldn't oughta said that, and god bless them little pygmies too.

 

[dcollicott]

Re: Can't find 1/4" 3-ply marine plywood

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Michigan.

My brother, who's in the aero engineering field, found this:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/wppages/royalmarine.php

I'm trying to find more about that PSI-74 specification.