Marine ply thickness

[eddystone]

Anyone with a mid-late 80s Sadler measured their washboards for replacement? (The old forum is non-existent - think it has migrated to Facebook which excludes moi) Seems to be 17mm, which is between 5/8" and 11/16" - I thought it was 5/8" but boatyard manager probably better at measuring than me? Robbins sell teak faced marine ply in 15mm and 18mm thicknesses, but only the 18mm in quarter sheets. Only the bottom one has to be replaced. Wonder if 0.5mm could be planed from each face?

 

[pvb]

Anyone with a mid-late 80s Sadler measured their washboards for replacement? (The old forum is non-existent - think it has migrated to Facebook which excludes moi) Seems to be 17mm, which is between 5/8" and 11/16" - I thought it was 5/8" but boatyard manager probably better at measuring than me? Robbins sell teak faced marine ply in 15mm and 18mm thicknesses, but only the 18mm in quarter sheets. Only the bottom one has to be replaced. Wonder if 0.5mm could be planed from each face?

Not from veneered ply.

 

[battleship]

I have a sadler 34, did my washboards last year 12mm is fine

 

[Ruffles]

Mmmm. Seems likely to have been 3/4" and vigorously sanded over the years! Mine were similar: 1"; just measured them; 23mm! Veneer gone in places. I guess Sadler could have veneered it themselves but seems unlikely!

I'd recommend having a new set for the season and keep the old ones for Winter. I'd also recommend making a template 'cos if you use the old ones as a model you'll reproduce all the 40 years of wear and tear! BTW you'll need strips of solid teak for the edges.

 

[fredrussell]

Go acrylic- will transform your boat. Wonderful on a rainy day below decks - much less gloomy.

 

[eddystone]

Mmmm. Seems likely to have been 3/4" and vigorously sanded over the years! Mine were similar: 1"; just measured them; 23mm! Veneer gone in places. I guess Sadler could have veneered it themselves but seems unlikely!

I'd recommend having a new set for the season and keep the old ones for Winter. I'd also recommend making a template 'cos if you use the old ones as a model you'll reproduce all the 40 years of wear and tear! BTW you'll need strips of solid teak for the edges.

Well certainly built up a thickness of varnish but mine have to be jiggled to get the coach roof to close so certainly couldn’t go thicker but 12mmwould leave an ugly overlap with the board above
Have considered acrylic as an option

 

[lw395]

Anyone with a mid-late 80s Sadler measured their washboards for replacement? (The old forum is non-existent - think it has migrated to Facebook which excludes moi) Seems to be 17mm, which is between 5/8" and 11/16" - I thought it was 5/8" but boatyard manager probably better at measuring than me? Robbins sell teak faced marine ply in 15mm and 18mm thicknesses, but only the 18mm in quarter sheets. Only the bottom one has to be replaced. Wonder if 0.5mm could be planed from each face?

How about using the thinner one and adding a protective strip of glass tape and epoxy around the edges to make up the thickness?
Just doing similar with a skinny rudder blade on a dinghy.

 

[davidmh]

I would go Acrylic, My Vancouver has a brownish acrylic washboards, the extra light in the cabin is really nice and at 35 years old they are a good as new. Easy to drill and tap to put safety bolts on if you want to . I have a teak overlap strip in the centre joint and at the top .
David MH

 

[James_Calvert]

A not very useful measurement from me I'm afraid.

Our 85 Sadler 32 has the original solid teak washboards. They are around 11 to 12mm thick. The gap they slide into is around 14mm.

I don't see how fatter ones could possibly fit.

So my message is simply go with what's right for your Sadler. Others are different.

 

[westhinder]

Anyone with a mid-late 80s Sadler measured their washboards for replacement? (The old forum is non-existent - think it has migrated to Facebook which excludes moi) Seems to be 17mm, which is between 5/8" and 11/16" - I thought it was 5/8" but boatyard manager probably better at measuring than me? Robbins sell teak faced marine ply in 15mm and 18mm thicknesses, but only the 18mm in quarter sheets. Only the bottom one has to be replaced. Wonder if 0.5mm could be planed from each face?

The SSOA forum is here: Forums – Sadler and Starlight Owners Association

 

[Andy61]

I have a 1988 S34 and the original washboards are 16mm or 5/8" thick marine ply in 3 pieces bevelled together. I made a two piece set of winter boards out of 12mm ply (bog standard DIY store) with an overlap joint. They are well varnished and work well. I left them in one season and they were fine, on the boat now, haven't had to re-varnish them. All the historic Sadler forum posts have now been put on the SSOA website. It costs a gigantic £17 a year tp join! Hope this helps, Andy