Plywood

[Langers]

I spent the whole day today driving around hampshire trying to locate 3 sheets of decent quality plywood, and failed miserably.

What I'm looking for is good old fashioned marine ply, 4mm thick 3 ply, with hardwood throughout and atleast one perfect side, i.e. no bark inclusions or fills and with a single piece of veneer on the outside. Surely it cant be that hard?

Please someone, tell me where I can find some, preferably near Southampton.

I keep coming back to the idea of needing to make a trip to Robbins, but at the best part of £100 a sheet it is silly money.

Can anybody verify if their plywood is worth it?

 

[npf1]

I drove past a place at Saxon wharf a couple of weeks ago (Southampton Yacht Services?) that looked like they had a shedful - but I don't know if that is for their own use or if they sell it. Might be worth a try.

 

[tobble]

Bamptons on Vespasion Road, in Soton might be able to help you out. They 'do' boat stuff, and have been helpful when I've used them in the past.

 

[samwise]

Robbins is not cheap but the quality is pretty good. There is a whole lot of rubbish out there ( as you already know) The Robbins Super Elite stuff is high quality and over £90 a sheet, but the Elite (which is still reasonable quality) is about £32 plus VAT.
I went through this sourcing timber for my son's GCSE project ( he built a kayak) and in the end got the timber from a local supplier, Cushions in Norwich, which is a bit far for you.

Like everything else you get what you pay for and I don't think Robbins are rip off merchants it ' s just the top of the market.

 

[santeana]

If Poole is within your compass try Ken Howells, Cobb's Quay Marina, Hamworthy Tel 01202 665724. Excellent personal service and quality products - haven't purchased for couple of years but, then, was less costly than Robbins.

 

[oakum]

Goodwillies in Waterlooville near Portsmouth stock marine ply - might be worth phoning - 02392 246470

 

[Rum_Pirate]

[ QUOTE ]
. . . but at the best part of £100 a sheet it is silly money.

[/ QUOTE ]
Good thing you were not trying to buy Bruynzeel Marine Plywood.

Scroll down. . .
http://www.timbmet.com/ImageLibrary/9%20marine%20plywood.pdf

 

[oldharry]

Dolphin Quay Boatyard in Emsworth specialises in wooden boat repair and can usually supply small amounts of excellent quality m/ply up to around 18mm as a rule. Depends a bit what he has in at the time. ' Small amounts' = up to single sheet size. More than that needs to be ordered usually. Give Tim a ring 01243 373234

 

[Langers]

Cheers all for your help with this.

I followed RonR's advice and went to Ken Howells in Poole. He had exactly what I was after. I would thoroughly recommend. Very reasonable selection of ply and various boaty hardwoods cut and planed in lots of shapes and sizes. Left me well alone to sift through stock to choose the best. Nice people too.

 

[covenanter]

proper marine grade is all of £100 sheet.
otherwise wbp hardwood ply about £30 sheet but this is not marine grade.