Why is Starboard so expensive?

[Capt. Stabbin]

I have used starboard before and it is very good stuff. My problem is I now have to replace my gas hatch 49" x 28" and a sheet of 48" x 54 " x 1/2" starboard is $150-$200! What is the difference between this stuff and polyethelene cutting boards? The only difference that I have found is that it is UV stabilized. My hatch will be covered almost completely by the center concole, so I don't think the sun will effect it. I have found a source for custom cutting boards online and they look to be about 50-60% cheaper. What do you all think? Thanks.

 

[flashback]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Probably cause it has the word "Marine" attached to it... I have used a plastic sheet material (can't think of the name of it) that is designed for home building. it is uv stabilized, machines with woodworking tools and it Floats, I use it for hatch boards on sail boats...........got it at the local building supply about 75 bucks a sheet for 4X8x1/2......It does not have much strctual value though......

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

I found that with some plastics only "black" is UV stable. don't know if that helps.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Think you need to shop around... $150-200 for a 54"X48"X1/2" is way out of line.. For that size, $100 bucks, max.... Heck, even that's too much, but..

 

[Ryoken]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

yeah, they'll hammer ya for starboard.. good stuff, but at the price they charge, i end up doing a lot of projects out of composite.. <br /><br />starboard is nice but it can be overdone sometimes. some projects can end up looking cheesy with starboard.<br /><br />heck, if you wanted a 49 x 28 piece of killer 1/2 composite i'd probably charge about 125 and its a waaay better material... <br /><br /> http://www.pultrude.com/index.html

 

[Capt. Stabbin]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Yeah, I shopped around quite a bit. West Marine (as usual)was the most expensive at $199.99. Boater's World had it for $99.99 in their catalog, but was not in stock at the store here in Jacksonville, and I was informed that there was a price increase to $149.99, they may or may not honor the old price.<br /> I agree that Starboard can be overdone. I plan on leaving a fair amount of original teak trim, but this is more structural than anything else. The old floor allowed quite a bit of water into the fuel bay. By the way my boat is a 1972 Mako 17.<br /> Thanks to all for your responses.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Capt. Forgit the big marine places... Try the phone book, & look under/check with the local plastic shops... <br /><br />Most of the shops that deal in the stuff will probably cut it exactly to the size you need, saving you some $$$s, and their usually cheaper than the big marine chain stores.....

 

[Jason Adam]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

"I agree that Starboard can be overdone. I plan on leaving a fair amount of original teak trim, but this is more structural than anything else."<br /><br />Starboard, at least in the past, was NOT to be used for structural situations

 

[flashback]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Guess you could make your own composite, get ya 2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood cover them with wax paper then lay up the composite of your choice on one of the sheets then take the other and place it on top (sandwich) and screw them together 6 inches on center, let it dry and presto, you have a nice strong sheet of fiberglass,kevlar and carbon fibre.........caution! I never tried this before but it seems as tho it would work fairly well............

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Flashback, I did something similar to that for the deck cover over my fuel tank... <br /><br />Took a sheet of particle board, wax paper'd it, then laid up the glass to about 1/4" thick.. Poped the new flat all glass pannel off.. The piece was about 60" x 28" in all... I added a few 1"x2" supports on the underside... Screw'd it down with about 30 #12 screws, it's very strong..

 

[Capt. Stabbin]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Jason, <br /> I am using starboard for the simple reason that it doesn't ROT and doesn't WARP. I could sandwich wood and epoxy, but it is still wood, and over time we all know what the end result will be. The original hatch was glass over wood, and I guess for 32 years it did a pretty good job, but I think that polyethylene is the way to go. By the way Boaters World gave it to me for $100.00

 

[flashback]

Re: Why is Starboard so expensive?

Snapperbait, thanks for the response on that idea, next time I need a flat panel I will give it a try....... I have made thru-hull rudder tubes for sail-boat rudders in a similar fashion by removing the rudder and shaft, wrapping the rudder shaft with two layers of wax paper and then wrap the shaft with epoxy mixed with graphite and mat, then build it up to about 1/4 inch thick with roving. makes for a nice smooth rudder action, no slop...........