so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it ???

[Abe Froman]

on some of my previous posts, several replies said DO NOT USE PRESSURE TREATED WOOD. so, what should I use and where do I get it ?????

cheers

 

[VanderLaan]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

Exterior grade plywood from a lumberyard or a big box store. Exterior grade plywood uses waterproof glues to help protect the wood from the elements. Ask them for A/C Exterior grade plywood and put the pretty side up. If you intend to use carpet, you could get by with a lesser grade (not as nice on both sides).

With that handle, you better be from Chicago and like sausage.

 

[Abe Froman]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

yes sir... I AM the Sausage king of Chicago... but actually, I live in New Orleans.... and I like sausage.

 

[barato2]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

gonna go out on a limb here. you are one of the few guys who might should use full-on MARINE grade ply instead of exterior. it should be readily available in the coastal LA area so you don't have that prodigious shipping cost, and when you live somewhere it's so wet n funky that things often never dry out fully.....qien sabe. anyone else have any thoughts? assuming you'll be slathering it in epoxy anyway, which will help, but.....

 

[kfa4303]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

Oh yeah. Marine grade is nice, if you can afford it. Although, it's really just void-free exterior grade made with waterproof glue. Either way, if sealed properly, (epoxy, f'glass mat & resin, or spar urethane all work well), it will last many, many, many years. Be sure you use SS hardware through out and dip it it some 3M 5200 prior to installation too. Although, I would vote against the carpet too. I think you'll find that it only traps dirt, water and fish guts. It's nice to be able to simply hose the boat out at the end of the day. There are lots of paints you can use, but I've had great luck with good old Rustoleum Professional Oil Based Enamel. You can get it anywhere and it works like a charm. It gets a little slick when wet, but cleans up like a dream and you can always add some non-skid to it if you want.

 

[North Beach]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

Oh yeah. Marine grade is nice, if you can afford it. Although, it's really just void-free exterior grade made with waterproof glue. Either way, if sealed properly, (epoxy, f'glass mat & resin, or spar urethane all work well), it will last many, many, many years. Be sure you use SS hardware through out and dip it it some 3M 5200 prior to installation too. Although, I would vote against the carpet too. I think you'll find that it only traps dirt, water and fish guts. It's nice to be able to simply hose the boat out at the end of the day. There are lots of paints you can use, but I've had great luck with good old Rustoleum Professional Oil Based Enamel. You can get it anywhere and it works like a charm. It gets a little slick when wet, but cleans up like a dream and you can always add some non-skid to it if you want.

OK not tryin to have another plywood war here but if you use Douglass Fir Marine Grade then the difference is a little more than just voids. The difference would be Doug Fir vs Pine. A harder more dense wood vs a softer more porous wood. The glue only acts as the binder for the plies. The resin that we apply helps make it waterproof and it still needs to be hidden from the sun. Also the exterior grade plywood Will soak up way more resin. I used The marine grade because I felt it was the best thing to use. However, I have been doing some more reading and it appears if you don't mind using more resin the exterior grade might just be an option. The choice is still yours.

 

[Rainbow hunter]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

Around my area, and I'm sure many others, all marine grade plywood is pressure treated with copper sulfate. Now you can seal it up as much as you want, but the bucks you'll spend to do it right will add up to a bunch of money. And you still have the possibility that the copper will some day cause you heartache. Take a look at what it did to the poor neglected Falcon I'm working on. It'll cost less to do a good seal job on exterior grade plywood and last just as long. And I really like the Rustoleum product too. Stands up to everything if you take care of it.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

OK not tryin to have another plywood war here but if you use Douglass Fir Marine Grade then the difference is a little more than just voids. The difference would be Doug Fir vs Pine. A harder more dense wood vs a softer more porous wood. The glue only acts as the binder for the plies. The resin that we apply helps make it waterproof and it still needs to be hidden from the sun. Also the exterior grade plywood Will soak up way more resin. I used The marine grade because I felt it was the best thing to use. However, I have been doing some more reading and it appears if you don't mind using more resin the exterior grade might just be an option. The choice is still yours.

That's probably true. I suppose which type of plywood you get (fir vs. pine) is somewhat regional and depends on the store you got to (Big box vs. local, etc...). Either way, it's the sealant (epoxy, mat & resin, spar urethane) that will ultimately do the waterproofing work. Epoxy resin is nice because you can do all kinds of other stuff with it, besides just sealing the wood, but it is a little pricey and you usually have to order it. Either way, two layers of 3/4" exterior ply, properly laminated together, will be plenty strong regardless of the the type of wood(s) used. As with most things on a boat, it's a balance between cost and performance.

 

[North Beach]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

Yes you do have to specify Douglas Fir Marine and at least 5 ply when ordering if that's what you want but you can order it at Lowes. I'm talking floors here.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

MDO (Medium Density Overlay) is what many exterior signs are made out of, and is also a good alternative.

NOT MDF (the carp that most knock-down, comes in a flat box, put it together yourself, furniture is made out of: Med Density Fiberboard)

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: so, don't use Pressure Treated wood... what should I use ? and where do I get it

APA grading for plywood

http://www.apawood.org/level_b.cfm?content=srv_help_prd_marine

Pressure treating is done by a third party and has nothing to do with the "Grading" of "Marine"

You can find Pressure treated marine usually in coastal areas.

If using pressure treated plywood, make sure it is force dried, not air dried afterward. Or you will have a very wavy panel on your hands.

I often use 5/8 or 3/4, A/B, doug fir, Marine and it is very nice to work with. Any plywood wholesaler will have it on hand.