Smaller bit of 18mm marine ply...where to buy?

Iain C

Iain C

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Started a thread last week about marine ply suppliers near Gosport...got an answer and all was good, however the price for an 8x4 sheet was frightnening!

Basically I'm changing my horrible GRP forehatch for a Houdini version and need to make a new wooden surround for it and epoxy onto the boat first to modify the slight curve in the existing setup. I need a piece of something about 18mm thick (could be a bit thinner), about 600x600. Most of it is going to get cut out the middle, what's left it going to get epoxied/drilled/filleted/filled/painted...buying a huge sheet of virginal ply seems daft!

Help! Does anyone know any yards on the South Coast that might do offcuts or smaller sheets? Or is there a mail order company anywhere? Anyone on here got any spare or want to "split" a sheet with me?

Thanks!
 
These posts always make me smile . Have you seen the price of wood :eek: Has anyone got any offcuts so i dont have to put my hand in my pocket :rolleyes:
Why dont you buy a sheet and give the rest away to people that have just found out the costs ;)
P.S if i had an off cut i would let you have it but its already been given away to members on here for free :)
 
Sorry can't help, but some suppliers will do half sheets.

You could get a half sheet of 6mm ply and stick 3no 600mm x 600mm pieces together. That will save a few bob.
 
Iain C said:
Basically I'm changing my horrible GRP forehatch for a Houdini version and need to make a new wooden surround for it and epoxy onto the boat first to modify the slight curve in the existing setup. I need a piece of something about 18mm thick (could be a bit thinner), about 600x600. Most of it is going to get cut out the middle, what's left it going to get epoxied/drilled/filleted/filled/painted...buying a huge sheet of virginal ply seems daft!
Click to expand...

With respect, I can't think of a worse way of doing this job. Wasteful of material and the wrong material anyway. Why not make an iroko frame with simple joints at the corners? Much cheaper, stonger and nothing to delaminate.
 
parsifal said:
With respect, I can't think of a worse way of doing this job. Wasteful of material and the wrong material anyway. Why not make an iroko frame with simple joints at the corners? Much cheaper, stonger and nothing to delaminate.
Click to expand...

Can't really argue with that. The next best thing is outdoor ply and you can buy a smaller sheet of this at B&Q for about £20. May not be as reliable, but should be ok with a couple of coats of Epoxy. If it only lasts 5 years, you've got the other half of the sheet to make another!
 
RobF said:
... The next best thing is outdoor ply and you can buy a smaller sheet of this at B&Q for about £20. May not be as reliable, but should be ok with a couple of coats of Epoxy. If it only lasts 5 years, you've got the other half of the sheet to make another!
Click to expand...

And I could find a use for the bits he cuts out of the middle :D
 
Forget the ply! Use Isopon P 40 (The stuff with fibres in the mix, not body filler!)

Form this roughly into the shape you want on deck and then press the hatch into it. (Grease the hatch first to stop it sticking. Allow to begin curing and remove the hatch - about ten minutes.
Then fair off, you can use body filler for this. Fit the hatch in the normal way.

This is a proven extremely strong method. I use it to bed heavy duty davits onto decks (200kg + loads) and the faired section remains in place and never cracks.
 
PCUK said:
Forget the ply! Use Isopon P 40 (The stuff with fibres in the mix, not body filler!)

Form this roughly into the shape you want on deck and then press the hatch into it. (Grease the hatch first to stop it sticking. Allow to begin curing and remove the hatch - about ten minutes.
Then fair off, you can use body filler for this. Fit the hatch in the normal way.

This is a proven extremely strong method. I use it to bed heavy duty davits onto decks (200kg + loads) and the faired section remains in place and never cracks.
Click to expand...
2nded, far more economical and effective - though I'd use any fibre filled polyester - Davids' is fairly expensive for what it is.
The B&Q "outdoor" ply will be a waste of your time and money!!!
 
You might try Arthur's chandlery, between Gosport Boatyard and C&N. Before "Arthur's" took it over they could always be relied upon to have offcuts of boatbuilding materials. I've not been there this year, so phone before you go.

I have used WBP ("outdoor ply") for a number of odd things on my boat. B&Q and Wickes materials often have huge voids in them, but I select my sheets from Goodwillies in Waterlooville. They didn't do "half sheets" when I got my last one (still have some of it). You just have to make sure you protect it properly. By the time you've "painted" the finished article with West Epoxy, you may find you's have been better buying Byunzeel anyway.
 
If you insist on doing the job the wrong way, then Buildbase do an all hardwood 18mm exterior ply for about £33. Vastly superior to B&Q and Wickes rubbish! You definitely don't need marine ply for this job. Or as previous professional recommendation spend a fiver on 'Bridger' and do the job much better in an hour.
 
OK cheers for the replies guys, I might give the buildbase ply a go and cover it in epoxy.

It's got to be a sheet of ply as I need to convert the hatch opening which is currently cambered side to side. Basically I need to belt sand the fore and aft edges so they are flat and epoxy/bolt the wood in place to make a flat surface to bolt the hatch onto.

I think I understand what people are saying about P38 etc...personally I would have used epoxy with plenty of fibres/bubbles, however it won't work without the wood as the Houdini hatch has quite rounded edges and the existing aperture is very square, so there's a gap at each corner.

Picture is worth 1000 words...my boat is nearest to the pontoon.

5060364095_fb89a18dea_z.jpg
 
I'd build a frame from solid hardwood rather than use ply.

If you opt for exterior WBP ply ensure it is good quality.
Ive had good.. as good as marine ply but I've also had stuff that has delaminated!

Try the wooden boat builders in the area for some hardwood or real marine ply

Dolphin Quay in Emsworth or our own Seanick (Nick Gates) in Emsworth Shipyard ( marina )
 
Think I would build myself a wooden frame. That way you only need 4 staight pieces of decent wood. You can shape the end two to fit the curve of the deck and fair the side ones to fit. Will make a much better job.
 
Marine Ply

Last year when visiting Ron Hale Marine in Portsmouth (Highland Road) I popped into B.G. Trade Paints / M&S Discount Building Supplies a trade decorator merchants and wood yard next door - I bought a half sheet of ply - it may have ben exterior rather than marine but could be worth a phone call and not too far away from Gosport?
(023 9229 4499 )


No connection just a fortuitous visit

JuSw
 
I've got some to give away. It's marine ply 18mm largest piece 4' x 2', another piece almost as big with small piece cut out; one piece about 2' x 2'; and 2 pieces 9" x 24". I live in South East London. Madelaine
 
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