8 mm is sufficient thickness for marine plywood if your boat is small. For medium-sized boats, opting for 10 mm plywood is advisable, while 12 mm pieces are best for catamarans and boats of larger capacity. Discussing project specifications with the manufacturer can also help inform your decision.
How thick should a boat deck be?
Generally you can go a bit thinner when going from solid planks to plywood. 1/2" seems a bit light for what is a pretty heavily built boat in that size range. Generally, you can use the hull planking thickness as a guide to decking thickness. A workboat or an off shore cruiser may have decks as thick as the topside planking.
What is the best way to build a plywood deck?
A plywood deck with two layers of material is a very good approach. Of course stagger the seams well. I wouldn't epoxy the plywood to the deck beams, nor the sheer shelf. Bed and fasten, so you can remove it in the future if necessary. 2 layers of 1/4" is much stronger then a single layer of 1/2".
How much can I reduce the thickness of a plywood deck?
Usually, you do not reduce the plywood thickness, because it's not as strong longitudinally, as the solid lumber it replaces. Since your previous deck was a softwood, you'd be okay with a 10% - 20% reduction in thickness if replaced with two layers of marine grade plywood.
What is the best wood for a boat deck?
Oak wood 4. Marine Plywood 1. Burmese Teak Burmese teak, also popular as the king of woods, is one of the most popular wood choices for boat decks. Given the luxurious appeal the wood has and the durability it offers, this wood type is rightfully the favorite of many.
What kind of plywood do you use for a boat deck?
Marine plywood is a great sheet material that can be easily cut using both hand saws and basic power tools. Marine plywood is often used to build boat interiors and to replace flooring during boat renovations.
Can I use regular plywood for boat floor?
Cold molded boats are made all the time with strips of regular plywood protected by layers of fiberglass. As long as you glass them properly they will never be exposed to moisture and should be fine. You can use exteriior plywood. The glues are the same as in marine ply.
How thick should plywood be for a deck?
Plywood decking used as a sub-floor typically has a thickness of 3/4 inch (19.05 mm). It is also a common practice to use tongue and groove plywood, a type that joins at its seams, for flooring applications. It reduces movement between the two pieces, providing a stable surface to which finish flooring can be attached.
How thick is marine plywood?
The most popular thickness is ¾” marine plywood, and it is normally sold in 4' x 8' panels. However, ¼” marine plywood panels are also quite common. This is a multi-purpose, specialty plywood that's manufactured with a thermosetting fiber overlay.
How thick should marine plywood be for boat floor?
“Use a good grade 1/2 to 5/8 plywood (I used 3/4) you should cover the bottom side with fiberglass cloth, make sure you use a 24 to 36 grid pad to rough up the wood before laying your cloth down. Let the cloth drape over your edges and grind to the finish.
What kind of wood should I use for a boat deck?
If you're looking for a gorgeous, strong, and long-lasting wood for your yacht or boat deck, Burmese Teak is the best choice. Widely regarded as the best and most high-quality teak available in the world, Burmese Teak has all of the qualities required of a luxurious, durable, and beautiful boat deck.
What is marine grade plywood?
Marine Grade Plywood is an exterior structural panel, sanded on both sides, most commonly made from Douglas fir or Pine. Other species of hardwood may also be used for marine plywood, usually in the Marine (boating) industry.
Can marine plywood be used for decking?
Decks, Patios and Porches Plywood decking comes in large sheets, which means a deck can easily be covered with plywood. With Marine Plywood, you can finish your deck in hours instead of the days it would take using individual boards, and at a very reasonable cost.
What is the difference between exterior plywood and marine plywood?
Marine plywood can be used for all the jobs which can be done by exterior plywood . General exterior plywood is intended for indoor or outdoor application where resistance to weather/water is required .
What is the best plywood for marine use?
Many Species of Wood Meet These Requirements, But we Believe that Okoume is the Best Possible Species for Use in Marine-Grade Plywood. Okoume is lightweight, doesn't easily deteriorate in wet conditions, and is handsome enough to add beauty to any boat.
Is marine plywood stronger than regular plywood?
The interior layers also have voids, or holes, that you can't see until you cut into the plywood panel. Marine plywood is a type of hardwood plywood. True hardwood plywood is made with thin layers of 100 percent hardwood, which generally is stronger and harder and has a finer grain than softwood.
How much does a 4x8 sheet of marine plywood weight?
A typical 4' x 8' sheet of 1/2-inch Marine Plywood weighs around 51 lbs.
What is the difference between marine plywood and regular plywood?
Marine Grade Plywood Vs. The interior veneers of standard plywood can contain voids and larger knots that aren't visible until the panel is cut. Unfilled edge voids allow water infiltration that can lead to rot or delamination. By contrast, Marine plywood is made of many thinner layers with no voids or large knots.
Do you have to use marine grade plywood on a boat?
Homes or commercial structures near the ocean may require marine-grade plywood, but there's no need to secure the same level of water resistance as you would need for a boat; if you buy the level you need but not more, you won't compromise longevity but also won't pay more than you need to.
What material can I use for boat floor?
The 5 Best Types of Boat Flooring MaterialsWood. It goes without saying that wood has been the material of choice for boat and ship builders for thousands of years. ... Linoleum or Vinyl. ... Specialty Paints. ... Canvas. ... Carpeting.
Should I seal marine grade plywood?
Marine plywood is thicker than typical plywood, so you'll need to apply more coats to maximize its lifespan. A good rule of thumb is to add as many coats of sealant as there are in the plywood. That means if your plywood has 7 layers of wood, you should add 7 layers of sealant.
What size plywood should I use for a Jon boat?
However, on many fishing forums, most Jon boat owners prefer ½” to ⅝”.
Is plywood solid or quiet?
The floor is very solid and quieted things considerably.”. It seems as if the size of plywood preference differs from person to person. If you are unsure of which plywood to use, it is also a good idea to ask a worker or the manager to help you.
Do boats still use wood?
You may see several wooden boats lying in neglect, but you may never see one in the sea. Whereas there are a few manufacturers who still use wooden parts, but majority stopped producing these boats a long time ago. Grady White is one of the manufacturers that stopped using wood on their boats. When did…
Is Tang and Bam a good boat?
I'm not trying to offend you, but am interested in your success. Tang (and Bam) is a great boat if built as designed and used as intended. It can easily turn into a ******* only a mother could love if much is altered in her structure or shapes. You are quite correct that using several wooden building techniques can produce strong, light weight boats that rival other materials, but there are many qualifiers and limitations, which I feel you need a better understanding of before tackling projects, that can take you and you loved ones, farther from shore then they, or you can swim back too.
Is epoxy composite the same as aluminium?
On that basis, an epoxy composite hull weighing the same as an aluminium hull will have much more thickness in its hull. Besides, wood floats.
Can you glue on a strong back?
Stitch and glue on a strong back works very well, especially with designs that have been configured for the method. Change always happens and reading ASM's request for a 26 footer straight sections boat, has reminded me that the FL 26 might just suit him very well. Page 3 previews the lines.
What is marine plywood?
Marine plywood is a great sheet material that can be easily cut using both hand saws and basic power tools. Marine plywood is often used to build boat interiors and to replace flooring during boat renovations . But why do we have to use plywood specifically made for the marine environment and are we wasting our money on expensive ‘marine’ plywood ...
How long does marine plywood last?
Essentially you are paying for the time it will last when exposed to harsh environments. Some ply is guaranteed for 15 and 25 years depending on where and what you purchase.
Why is plywood considered non-marine?
Given sufficient time and use it may be that the protective fibreglass layer becomes damaged allowing water to permeate the surface and begin to rot the underlying plywood.
What happens if you lose the strength of plywood?
You lose the strength of the plywood backing over time meaning that the fibreglass is then vulnerable to cracks and structural damage. Unless a large amount of fibreglass matting has been used with a good amount of strength then your floor could potentially fail.
Why does paint peel off of plywood?
The paint is completely failing to adhere to the plywood substrate and subsequently peeling off. Once water is allowed to permeate the plywood it begins to rot. This causes the paint to flake off in large chunks, along with layers of rotten ply.
What happens if you don't seal the end of a boat deck?
The end result is the entire floor is now spongy and most likely rotten. The floor will need to be cut out and replaced.
How to test plywood?
Don’t worry there are some ways to test the quality of your plywood (at your own risk of course!): Cut some small samples and leave them in the dishwasher for a few cycles. Simmer samples in hot water for a few days to see if they delaminate.
Why is marine plywood so expensive?
Marine plywood is expensive because it uses a high grade (ususally b) face and back and tighter core gaps. Sanded Exterior plywood that is rated for underlayment is the best comprimise and most cost effective thing to use. It will usually be a B face and C back. All knot holes in the face should be plugged.
What is the original deck of a boat?
the original deck of the boat was 1/2 inch plywood covered with what appears to be glass and gell coat. so when i look to replace this i was considering using 3/4 plywood for the base of the deck with a glass and non slip surface finish.
Is plywood stronger than wood?
Structurally speaking, quality plywood is stronger than dimensional wood. As a fiberglass core it is at best a compromise. The only way to guarantee against rot is to use composite cores. Composites are extremely expensive and unnecessary as well.
Can you use marine ply on a boat?
Seal it as best you can and take care of the boat. It will likely outlast you. My opinion is that true marine ply is best used in boats completely made of ply. Unless you are building one of those floating pianos, marine ply is unnecessary in my view.
Which is stronger, 3/8 or 3/4?
Unless you have a way to put the 2 pieces of 3/8's under pressure and 400 degree heat the 3/4 will be stronger. Joining 2 3/8 may make a stronger seam but the rest of the deck will be weaker than 1 piece of 3/4. 3. type of plywood.
Does 1/2 of a ply run perpendicular?
Doesn't really matter as about 1/2 the plys will run one way and the other 1/2 will run perpendicular.
Do knot holes need to be plugged?
All knot holes in the face should be plugged. The down fall of this grade is the gaps allowed in the cores and the exposed knot holes on the back. This doesn't effect strength but does allow for water intrusion. This is easily remedied with glassing on the face, sides and back.
