Plywood to build seats

wsr3

Cadet
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
22
I am wanting to build a bench seat for my 14' runabout. I plan on building the box and frame from plywood and getting some cushons made. What type of plywood should I use?
Thanks,
Bill
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: Plywood to build seats

Exterior....... then seal it up with fiberglass and resin or just good old spar varnish .....lots of coats
 

Peteco

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
36
Re: Plywood to build seats

Build it with blue foam sheets from Home Depot then glass over it (with epoxy, not polyester. Poly will melt the foam)

Foam is cheaper than plywood and much easier to shape and cut. And it will never rot.
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: Plywood to build seats

I built my seat base out of 3/8" exterior ply, then put two layers of 1708 on each side and it is way over built.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Plywood to build seats

yep.....exterior grade and glass....

then paint or gellcoat.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Plywood to build seats

p.s.

if you dont glass it.....the screw will come out in a few seasons and you will be fixing it forever
 

69rrvert

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
211
Re: Plywood to build seats

Just the other day I was talking with a freind of mine that owns a upholstry shop the same question. He told me that in a boat the best thing to build seats out of is a sheet of 3/8" plastic. I am nowhere near this step in my rebuild but when it comes time to build seats, the plastic sounds pretty good to me. It should last a long time. Thanks, Steven
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: Plywood to build seats

I'm restoring an old 61' Lonestar Fiberglass 15 footer. My seats will be 1/2 inch ext. grade ply with 1708 and resin. I Figure if i epoxy the screws they will outlast me unless I live to be 100 and then, I won't give a hoot in heck anyway. I think a lot of us on here go WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to OVERBOARD with some of our engineering but maybe it's just me. I'm just sayin....:D
 
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