zapcat
Well-Known Member
Has anyone used this material? Im thinking of using it for the galley worksurface and new instrument panel & locker covers as it comes in a big sheet - sounds like a wonder product!
Vetus Polywood
- Thread starter zapcat
- Start date
Glyn-2008
Well-Known Member
A previous owner has made cockpit lockers / seating bases out of this on our boat. It is very tough for only 12mm thick and has no strenghtening bars underneath the seat bases even though the tops are 1.5 metres long. The top laminate is like Formica and easy to keep clean. Ours has been put together by being drilled and tapped and is pretty sound with no evidence of deterioration. There is a downside though, the items on our boat are incredibly heavy for their size and a box 1800mm long by 200mm high and 600mm wide is much too heavy to carry on your own.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Vetus don't make much; they rebadge. This is either Kingboard or its one other big competitor whose name I forget. I have used it and boat builders use it eg for hatch lids. It's strong and stiff, and has many excellent properties, thought it is denser than plywood. It isn't laminated so I don't get Glyn's reference to that, but it does have smooth surfaces
Personally I would not use it for an instrument panel or galley work top. It's a bit ugly. Lots of materials would make a smarter instrument panel, and corian or Avonite would be 100x prettier and better in the galley. It's good for locker lids though, where a cushipn will go on top
Personally I would not use it for an instrument panel or galley work top. It's a bit ugly. Lots of materials would make a smarter instrument panel, and corian or Avonite would be 100x prettier and better in the galley. It's good for locker lids though, where a cushipn will go on top
Glyn-2008
Well-Known Member
Perhaps this is not the same material as we have then, I've just thought that this is what it is after reading the Vetus explanation some time ago. The top surface is white whilst the core material is of a dense brown resin like material. You are quite correct, it is not laminated as such, I just imagined that the top and bottom surfaces were added afterwards but maybe not. It appears more resin based than of an organic material although it is as easy to cut and plane as a hard wood. Unless polished the surface becomes very dull and attracts moss like growth if used externally. Astheticaly, I would not use it internally but it does make good lockers.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Ah that's different stuff from the current Kingboard/Staboard/whatever it's called/Vetus stuff, which is white all the way through and is solid plastic, not laminated. Incidentally, I think it is made by casting, ie liquid plastic injected between 2 flat plates, like perspex.
Talulah
Well-Known Member
I have used this Vetus product for the false bottom in the cockpit locker.
It's easy to work with.
However, as a false floor it's been ok but now severely curved due to weight of the items on it. Bit like having a bookshelf with not enough support where over time it bends under load. I would use it again for the same purpose as it's waterproof, easy to clean etc but next time I would have it better supported.
It's easy to work with.
However, as a false floor it's been ok but now severely curved due to weight of the items on it. Bit like having a bookshelf with not enough support where over time it bends under load. I would use it again for the same purpose as it's waterproof, easy to clean etc but next time I would have it better supported.
zapcat
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that, think I will try to get a sample before spending my hard earned stuff!