Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

[RotaryRacer]

Not sure if anyone is from around here but I am looking for a source for marine ply. I would also consider using ACX if someone around here carries it.<br /><br />I have found marine ply at two woodworking places. The price for a 3/4" thick piece is $90 at the cheaper of the two. 1/2" is $65. I'll need at least one 3/4" and two 1/2" pieces for my rebuild project. (see Saf-T-Mate thread if interested)<br /><br />Are these prices typical or should I try to find something cheaper?

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Bump.<br /><br />Anyone from around here done a restoration or ground up build? Where did you get wood?

 

[Harker]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

I built a Devlin BB2 duck boat. Johnsons workbench in Grand Rapids should be a good source for your marine plywood. Those prices sound very reasonable..is it Fir or Okuume? ACX is a fir designation and typically has quite a few voids in it..what are you making?

 

[Harker]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Just looked at your project...looks nice. I would suggest that any plywood you put in it be encapsulated with epoxy. Check out www.raka.com....they have good prices and great service.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Glen-L list these timber suppliers for Michigan...<br /><br />Birmingham - Bryne Plywood, 2400 Coles St, 48008 - PW <br />Charlotte - Johnson's Workbench, 563 N Cochran, 48813 517/543 2727 - PW, L <br />Detroit - General Hardwood, 7201 E McNichols Rd, 48212 313/365 7733 - L <br />Detroit - Public Lumber Co., 1001 E. 7 Mile Rd, 313/891 7125 - PW (3 & 4mm okoume), L, Sitka spruce <br />Grand Rapids - Ton Tin Lumber, 565 Godfrey SW, 49503 616/774 9332 - PW, L <br />Grand Rapids - Johnson's Workbench, 1038 Burton SW 49509; 616/245 9545 - L, okoume pw <br />Highland - Armstrong Millworks, 3039 W. Highland Rd., 48357, DARM4858@AOL.COM - Over 50 Kinds of Hardwood <br />St Clair Shores - Kler's Custom Woodwork, 28220 Harper St, 776 0533 - PW, L <br />Southfield - Northwestern Boats, 19740 W Ten Mile Rd, 48075 313/356 2477 - PW, L <br />Traverse City - Rare Earth Hardwoods, 6778 East Traverse Highway, 49684, 231/946 0043 <br /><br />Looks like you've got at least 2 ply suppliers in Grand Rapids. The Glen-L site is a good source for this kind of info, whether you're building one of their boats or not.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Thanks guys.<br /><br />I have talked to Johnson's Workbench and another company Woodsource that have the marine ply. Woodsource is the cheaper of the two. I am going to call that Ton Tin place and see what they have.<br /><br />The wood is for a rebuild project (floor and stringers) pictures are HERE

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

When comparing prices for marine ply just be sure you are comparing like with like, although all marine plys should meet the minimum specs there is still a wide variety of grades within those specs.<br />I can get marine ply to BS1088 that would absolutely have to be painted at least, if not glassed over to get an acceptable finish, on the other hand I can get ply to the same spec that you'd build quality furniture with and looks great just varnished.<br />And I'm only talking about "Mahogany" marine ply, the Douglas-fir marine ply that is commonly available in the US doesn't exist here, and that's a totally different timber altogether.

 

[Harker]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Petrolhead is correct..there are apples and oranges in marine ply. The best is the BS1088..I built my boat from it and it is Okuume. I made a lay in floor and used regular 18mm Luan underlayment that I encapsulated with epoxy and put a layer of 6oz fg cloth on the top side...this has lasted 6 years so far and is as good as the day I did it..but..if it was a structural component of the boat, I would have used marine grade.

 

[v65stiffie]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Have you called Wolf's Marine in Benton Harbor?<br />If they do not have it, they sure will be able to tell you where to get it and the best type(s) to use.<br />I was there yesterday.....WHAT A PLACE!!<br />Wolf's Marine<br />250 W. Main St.<br />Benton Harbor, MI 49022<br />269-926-1068

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Marine Ply Source in West Michigan?

Thanks v65.<br /><br />I will give them a call. It is a bit of a drive but probably worth the call.