plastic boards? need some help please

[in to deep]

Hi I have been rebuild my boat for a few years now got new stringers and new marine plywood down! i let the wood dry out for a year and a half then coated it all with resin then glassed everything in!
I am getting ready to put new marine carpet in and i was looking at the side boards with upholstery on them since the boards are plywood with foam backing with the upholstery over them i was wondering instead of using plywood again do they make a plastic like plywood sheet??
im getting kind of tired of rotting plywood!!
any one ever use this stuff if they make it? and does any one know were to get this stuff ??

thanks for all and any help!!!

Bill

 

[spotco2]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

I'd go with aluminum instead of plastic.

You'll never have to replace it again.

 

[Stachi]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

http://www.azek.com/

available in standard board sizes at HomeDepot. I just finished using it for my gunnel panels.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

There is also a product called StarBoard. Sheets are anywhere from 1/8" to 5/8". Your best option would be 3/8"-1/2". However, it's not cheap. A sheet of 1/2" (4' x 8') will run between $100-$125. But, it lasts forever. Cut, sand, router, drill, screw just like plywood. Also takes staples well like plywood, which aluminum obviously will not. I have been an upholsterer for over 18 years and use it all the time. If you don't plan on keeping the boat more than 3-5 years, go back to plywood and just seal it prior to covering it. If you plan to keep it, invest in the StarBoard.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

Just don't use the plastic boards for anything structural. They will outlast wood, but wood is much stronger.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

Here's a place with plastic lumber. They have sheet goods from 1/16" up to 3/4". They even have some structural lumber that's reinforced with fiberglass.

http://www.plasti-tek.com/plastic-lumber/

 

[SDSeville]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

If you are not going to upholster, I would go with the Azek like Stachi. That looks great.

However, if you are going to reupholster, why not just go with wood again. It should last for a very long time. Since they are mounted vertical there is never any sitting water to cause rot. I just finished restoring a 25 year old Sea Ray and, while everything else was rotted, those panels were still in great shape.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

I just finished using it for my gunnel panels.

That looks awesome! I was just thinking the other day after reading one of your posts...."when is he gonna splash that thing?" Well if the delay is because you're doing that kind of work.....then carry on!

 

[Stachi]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

Thank You folks... part of the delay has been not having anyplace to work on her... but that changed in July....as you see in the pic, it is in a shop. The same shop that I work in for the company I work for. If I was waiting for parts , or another car to work on , they had no problem with me working on my boat. My boss owns a boat to !! The other problem has been having just one day off a week !I expect to finish her this weekend , I am taking Saturday off so I have two full days to complete her.
For those who work with wood, I can't tell you how nice the AZEK is to work with. Each gunnel panel was fabricated with two 1x6 and one 1x12 boards. I routed a 1/4" round over to each edge and biscuit joined/glued them together...this stuff glues just as you would PVC. The grooves in the top board are at a 45* angle and done with a 1/2" cove router bit. This stuff can also be heated with a heat gun , to conform to a radius. I actually machined down a 1x2 with rounded edges , and a 3/8 " mortise to cap and finish off the rounded edges of the hatchway into the cuddy cabin of the bulkhead. I was amazed at how it stretched without deforming as I heated it to form the curves...I would use this material again without a doubt. As for the strength .... I am impressed.. I was able to move the bare gunnels of the boat in and out up to 2" of travel. After installing the new panels... I can't get the gunnels to move even 1/4" !!!

AZEK IS available in sheets, just not stocked by HDepot...... follow the link I posted above and you can find out what sizes and thicknes the material is available. The website also has several videos showing how to work with the material.

 

[Stachi]

Re: plastic boards? need some help please

Thank You ,aaaaarrrrrrgh, thats high praise from a salty dog such as you...

That looks awesome! I was just thinking the other day after reading one of your posts...."when is he gonna splash that thing?" Well if the delay is because you're doing that kind of work.....then carry on!