Plywood Supplier

[sjohn_gibson]

Silly me, I had the brilliant idea of building the grandson a sailing dinghy (PBO Pup) for Christmas. I know I can get the 5mm marine ply from Robbins in Bristol but if possible I would like to avoid the carriage charge. Does anyone know of a supplier in the Cambridge or Ipswich area?

This is my first active involvement in the forum. So please take it easy if I have unwittingly transgressed any of the rules.

 

[coliholic]

Ridgeons. They're in Cambridge and places all over East Angia inc Ipswich too.They're a builders merchants but I bought a sheet of 3/8 marine grade plywood from them a year or two back. And they'll deliver foc if big enough order.

http://www.ridgeons.com/start

 

[Danthegorrila]

I think you may be able to get some ply or information from Granta boats.

Its a worthwhile question

PB

 

[tome]

5mm seems to be a size only used for dinghies, eg Mirror etc. 4mm and 6mm are standard sizes and widely sourced.

I bought some 5mm locally but it was ex Robbins and I ended up paying a mark up which was more than the carriage so I think you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[dickh]

I built a dinghy several years ago and got the plywood from a company in Norwich, cannot remember the name but it was reasonably priced and they delivered(to Eye, Suffolk). Try the Yellow Pages or Boat Builders in the Broads area - they used the same supplier.
If I still have the Invoice I'll dig it out tonight and post it on this forum.

PS - It's a brilliant idea! - go for it but don't underestimate the time to build it...

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[rogerroger]

Any timber merchant should be able to supply marine grade ply...

/forums/images/icons/cool.gif Roger Holden /forums/images/icons/cool.gif
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.first-magnitude.co.uk>First Magnitude</A>

 

[bedouin]

On a different tack - you don't necessarily need marine ply for a dinghy. WBP is much cheaper and lasts reasonably well provided it's well looked after

 

[DavidTocher]

I build a two-part 8' tender from WBP ply and expoy. You have to be careful in selecting the WBP ply as the spec is far lower than BS1088 and a lot cheaper.

The surface veneer can differ in thickness - go for a thick outer layer as it is stronger. Check for voids in the inner ply on the edges.

I boiled scraps for 30min to be sure it was OK before building.

It will take much longer to build than you think - its the finishing stages that are the slowest.

Good luck!

 

[sjohn_gibson]

Thank you all for your input. I found it helpful
I tried Rigeons but they could supply 6mm 3 ply only - I would prefer 5 ply.
I could do with some help in tracking down Granta boats.
I have asked a mate who lives near Norwich to check whith his local boat builders for the supplier in that area.
Finally, Tome you are right - I will end up rolling over and paying the carriage from Bristol.

Nevermind it was reassuring to receive your advice.

 

[Strathglass]

Samuel,
Go to
http;//www.marineply.com/prices.htm

You will see what you want there. It is a lightweight ply (Stag marine ply 1088). Any I have used in the past has had no visible voids, unlike the so called 'marine / WBP' ply from builders merchants. All the Far Eastern I have purchased usually has voids.

Cheers Iain


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by iainsimpson on 06/10/2002 17:28 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[mhouse]

The local boatyard for me gets their timber from the importer on the shore side near neptune Quay on Ipswich docks Forget the name but it begins with T and its near the tyre depot. If your interested I will drive past and get the name in the next few days.