Which timber/ply?

Rum_Pirate

Rum_Pirate

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Aug 2004
Messages
27,971
Location
A tiny Island, Caribbean
Visit site
If you were building this

http://www.by-the-sea.com/archdavisdesign/davis_penobscot17.html

Which material (ply) is most appropriate/recommended meranti, okoume, or sapele ?

The timber would be encapsulated in the West Epoxy System.

The boat would be used in the Caribbean - Hot sunny, no ice (except in the onboard rum and ginger) no mud.
Probably kept on trailer, ie stored out of water under cover (in shade).
 
They of course reccomend, meranti and okoume. I would use Sapele, because if you want to varnish inside it would look nice, but if it's painted and epoxy sealed, you could use just about any good exterior WBP or marine ply. Use epoxy paint as well, last forever. IMHO
 
I don't think that there is a lot to choose between them. If you are going to have a bright-finished sheer strake [looks a million dollars!] then sapele is the one to choose for that. I haven't seen any okoume, so I know nothing about it. What is just as important is the solid timber for things like the keel structure, thwarts, knees, etc. If you plan to use meranti for any of those, make sure that you get the dark red variety. The paler grades are very weak and non-durable. "Meranti" is a grab-all title for a whole host of species of the genus Shorea. It is about as specific as "hardwood", and don't forget that balsa is considered a hardwood.
Peter.
 
Even if the hull is being completely sheethed in epoxy it is important that a good grade of ply is used.

Much of the stuff called 'marine ply' by many builders merchants is total rubish and has many voids. Sometimes WBP exterior ply can be quite good. Even ply stamped 'BS 1088' can be junk.

If you want to make the craft light and strong then go for Okoume (also called Gaboon) marine. This is made in Isriel among other places and even the WBP stuff is of good quality. It also has good thick outer faces.

If you don't mind the weight then go for all hardwood marine ply. It will be much more expensive, but will last longer.

I would sugest that you read up about the various grades of marine ply on offer at the robbins site. This will give you a better feel for the relative costs.

Remember that the cost of the ply is only a small percentage of the overall cost and it is not worth skimping on it.

Iain
 
[ QUOTE ]
Even if the hull is being completely sheethed in epoxy it is important that a good grade of ply is used.. . . . . . . Iain

[/ QUOTE ] This is planned.

[ QUOTE ]
I would sugest that you read up about the various grades of marine ply on offer at the robbins site. . .

[/ QUOTE ] What is the robbins site web address ?

[ QUOTE ]
Remember that the cost of the ply is only a small percentage of the overall cost and it is not worth skimping on it.

[/ QUOTE ] I believe that is true as it is only about a half dozen sheets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top