Okoume vs Aquatek or hydrotek Meranti plywood

[JohnPlatou]

Looking at plywood for new boat. I've used okoume in past, and was unhappy with grain pattern which looked like birch to me. Really wanted the look of 1950/60's philippine mahogany plywood.

Does meranti plywood either (aquatek or hydrotek )have a look similar to philippine mahogany? From the few pictures I've found it might.

I understand it's heavier than okoume by 70%, how does it compare to douglas fir plywood?

Any other woods to match the 1950/60's look of philippine mahogany?

[paladin]

Be aware that the Philippine Mahogany sold today is not the same stuff as the 50's/60's Chris Craft material. The stuff today is Luan, a tropical cedar...
The former Philippine Mahogany was Tanguille which was closer to a true mahogany. Philippine mahogany is not a type of wood, it's a registered trade name. There are African mahoganies that are similar in color and grain structure, but the best would be Honduras if it's available to you.

[pipefitter]

Unfortunately,for the most part it's brown like luan. You may find some reddish pieces in the mix that somewhat imitate the mahoganies but I found it to be typically brown.
http://home.earthlink.net/~tigmaster41/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/105-0570_img.jpg

.

[novass]

If you really want the bright mahogany look then you might want to think about laminating 1/8"(or there abouts) thick pieces of mahogany veneer onto the ply when your done sheeting the hull. IMHO ply doesnt seem to stain very well and often comes out blotchy.

Just my 2 cents:)

BTW the weight difference isnt as big as you are thinking between the two;

this is Okoume ply with 1mm face veneers

Thickness
Weight
# of plies

1/8" (3mm)
8 lbs
3


5/32" (4mm)
12 lbs
3


1/4" (6mm)
20 lbs
5


3/8" (9mm)
30 lbs
5


1/2" (12mm)
40 lbs
7


5/8" (15mm)
50 lbs
9


3/4" (18mm)
60 lbs
9



this is Maranti ply with 1mm face veneers

Thickness
Weight
# of plies

1/4" (6mm)
24 lbs
5


3/8" (9mm)
38 lbs
5


1/2" (12mm)
50 lbs
7


5/8" (15mm)
60 lbs
9


3/4" (18mm)
75 lbs
11





The above info came from the Noahs marine website;

http://www.noahsmarine.com/Canada/Plywoods-can/plywoods-can.html

[JohnPlatou]

Several local hardwood lumber companies in Houston, have honduras mahogany, but it is not the straight grain of the original 1950/60 "Philippine mahogany". The grain has swirls. Is it possible to get honduras mahogany that is 1/4 sawn, maybe that's was I'm missing?

If meranti has the grain I'm trying to match, can I stain it to get the brown out and red in?

I've seen ribbon mahogany that looks great, closest I've seen for the look I'm trying to match. Anyone seen it made into plywood? I have found ribbon veneer, but it says for interior use only!!!

[Dusty Yevsky]

When you say "ribboned striped mahogany" are you thinking of sapele? It can look remarkably like true mahogany, with all the pretty red hues. I don't know what's available in Texas but around here, NYC area, sapele is readily available in both solid and marine ply. I would imagine that any dealer who carries okoume would be able to get marine grade sapele. In this area sapele is about 75%-100% more expensive then okoume.

[novass]

I've seen some Saple(sp?) ply that had some nice ribbons in it. BTW are you planing on covering the hull/deck with fiberglass cloth when done? If so, then I wouldn't think it would matter then that the veneer is listed as interior use only as it will never be in contact with the elements anyway. You can fiberglass over it and still have that bright wood finish.

For example the decks below have been fiberglassed and still have a bright wood finish...(not likely your style of boat but it makes my point)


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g180/1969NovaSS/boat%20info/DSC01847.jpg

[Tom Robb]

Is it possible to die or stain the lighter colored plywoods to get the look you're after? People color wood all the time for furnature, why not for bright finished boats?
Just a thought.

[JohnPlatou]

Novass

Did see interior saple interior to day, at Clark's Hard Woos in Houston, they called in ribbon stripe mahogany plywood. Believe I've seen it advertized in marine grade.

The three v drive boats you pictured have interior saple, they have the look I'm trying to acheive. I do not want to glass. If I can find a marine grade it may solve my problem.

Tom

I have the same question with meranti and staining, seems like it should work, has anyone done it.

[novass]

John, check out Noahs Marine as they do appear to have Sapele Ribbon cut marine plywood. I know they can also ship just about anywhere. Maybe this is what your looking for.

[JimD]

I stained and glassed a little bright finished meranti plywood utility. Came out lookin' pretty good. Then I got talked into putting Cetol on it. Yikes! What wuz I thinking?

Here it is, not quite finished and in need of a little trim work but gives the idea

http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard11/pic562a.jpg

BTW - I assume its a typo but meranti is about 20% heavier than occume, not 70%.

[JohnPlatou]

novass

thanks

Found some ribbon stripe sapele plywood marine type-1 glue. How does this compare to BS1088 or BS6566?

Is ribbon stripe always 1/4 sawn?

I'm conviced this is what I'm looking for, but would much perfer to hand pick and drive it home as compared to mail order. Would drive 250 miles radius of Houston.

[Thorne]

Most marine ply seems to be coated in at least epoxy these days, if not glassed in some places like the bottom.

Do you plan on coating the ply with CPES and varnish, or epoxy and varnish, or ?? Sure seems like you'll be putting the hull at risk if you don't glass the bottom or the seams at the very least...

Not that I'm a huge fan of fiberglass or epoxy, but I've rarely seen a boat built from good quality marine ply that wasn't glassed in at least parts.

[JohnPlatou]

Did lift a 1/2" piece of okoume and meranti today, there is a noticable difference in weight.

[JohnPlatou]

Plan or CPES only. Then stain and varnish. No glass if I can avoid it.

[Alden270h]

Having used much marine ply over the years, I would stay away from any marine fir...period.

Most face veneers on even the best 1088 grade plywood is 1.3 mm prior to sanding and usually less than 1mm after which does not leave much for room for errors or wear and tear. I have had ribbon African mahogany custom pressed on Okoume panels(40 sheet worth) to match the interior of a mid 1960's Owens with great success on interior pannelling and cabinetry. As far as outside...I would suggest getting African ribbon cold molding veneer at either 1/16" or 1/8" thickness and lay up your own material over the top of a good 1088 or 6566 Okoume or Hydrotek(1088)Aquatek(6566). Lots of good options here on the West Coast. Check with Edensaw Woods LTD in Port Townsend Washington. They have some phenominal venners available. As far as long distance....get samples mailed and and match for what you need. Many of their veneers are on-line and can give you an idea of what is available. Has worked for me!!!

[JohnPlatou]

After some searching, I've found several sources of sapele ribbon stripe. So far it seems top veneer is only 1/2 mmm think or less, is this a problem?

Are there any sources that cary sapele with the thicker veneer to meet BS 1088, other than custom layup? I'm assuming that the reason sapele is not BS 1088, is that for some reason the top ply can only be 1/2 mm or less?

[Pericles]

Why not glass?

http://duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/articles/glass/bottom.htm

Pericles

[Eric D]

pericles, THANKS!!!!

I am gonna have to try that.