Seattle area sources for Marine Ply?

[Art Read]

Well, it's finally time to bite the bullet and buy the plywood for my deck. By playing around with patterns, I've worked out how to get what I'll need out of two and a half 4x8 sheets. Any of you locals got a good source here in Seattle for the "good" stuff? I know I can run up to Flounder Bay or Edensaw in Port Townsend, but I hate having to re-fill the WHOLE tank in my brother-in-law's pick-up! And just for fun, since all the various "What ply should I use for my decks" have left me with glazed eyes and a headache, any last minute recomendations re: namebrand, certification #s and species would be appreciatied! (I'm thinking a thickness of whatever is available just under a half inch seems about right for a boat like the Dark Harbor?) Thanks!

[capt jake]

Art, I have talked at length with Edensaw, Resources Int. and Flounder Bay. When I get to the ordering point, I am going with Edensaw. Price, quality, reputation, etc. Edensaw stated they could deliver, to my door for no extra charge (Olympia area). This may be due to the size of the order, but I bet you could work something out or even have it dropped shipped to a local lumber yard/boat builder. Call and ask!

[Jamie Hascall]

Art,

I and a friend who spent many years in the marine industry is planning on building a couple of Nutshell prams. He was talking about a possible good price supplier of decent ply, but I don't know the details. I'll see what I can find out and let you know what I find out. (It probably won't be until next week.) Maybe we can go in together on a bigger purchase for a better price. I can't wait to see the Dark Harbor one of these days.

Jamie

[Ken Liden]

Nearly any Puget Sound lumber yard can provide marine plywood. It is not a big secret. I have been buying Meranti from Edensaw and they do deliver to the head of the dock. I believe that there is a $125.00 minimum order for delivery. You are not going to have much of a choice as to manufacturers regardless of where you buy.

[RGM]

Hi Art, how's it goin? Give me a call at work.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Art Read:
Well, it's finally time to bite the bullet and buy the plywood...Any of you locals got a good source here in Seattle for the "good" stuff? I know I can run up to Flounder Bay or Edensaw in Port Townsend, but I hate having to re-fill the WHOLE tank in my brother-in-law's pick-up!

Well, you could just call either Edensaw or Flounder Bay: They both deliver. And alternatively you could just drive on down and give Edensaw a visit at their Georgetown store:

Edensaw Woods Ltd. - Seattle
3223 3rd Avenue South
Seattle WA 98134
206/587-0970 (vox)
206/587-0930 (fax)
877/333-6729 (free)
edensaw@earthlink.net (email)

They do keep bankers hours, though: 0800-1700, M-F.

Or try Crosscut Hardwoods (1st Avenue South) -- they're open late on Wednesday nights and open Saturdays. 4100 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134. ph: 206/623-0334

Compton Lumber (http://www.comptonlbr.com) is across the street from Crosscut and open Saturdays. Great selection of hardwoods and plywood (incl. marine)

The Home Builder's Center/Ace Hardware at 1110 Nickerson (just east of the Ballard Bridge, near Fisherman's Terminal) doesn't do too badly either. They're open weekends as well. Their phone number is 206-283-6060.

Hope this helps.

[Jamie Hascall]

Art,

Home Builders was who Les was talking about as his possible source. He was going to check into it today to see what sort of discounts are available for quantity etc. I'll let you know what I find. I think we're looking at starting our Nutshells in Feb.

Jamie

[wolfietuk]

I found a local shipwright who sells me the ply I need. Go down to a local shop around beer thirty on friday afternoon. Most are nice people and like to talk about their projects and yours if you are courteous about your visits. So I get my ply at a decent price and learn something.
Rick Tuk

[Kermit]

Hey, Art--
Edensaw has been pretty good for me. They've delivered to me for nothing, if I can wait for another delivery coming my way. But then I am just up the hill from the Keystone Dock...

[This message has been edited by Kermit (edited 11-28-2001).]

[Art Read]

Thanks guys! Been doing a lot of calling around and "picking" peoples heads lately. I was a bit surprised to see the "variety" of pricing for like products and also that no one place seems to carry more than one or two of the different "flavors" of the import stuff. Not surprisingly EVERYBODY carries marine fir around here! Because the underside of my decks will be exposed, (if not particularly obvious) I think I'm going pass on fir as option because of the checking problem. Pretty damn heavy, too. One suggestion was a product called "Hydrotech(?)" that is supposedly 1088 Meranti. Pretty good price, not very heavy. My gut, (and some sage advice) tells me Sapele might be a better choice for durability purposes. Can't remember how it compares weight wise? Almost double the price though... Everybody seems to have Okume, good prices and it does seem to be the lightest, but I've got a feeling I'd regret the weight savings down the road unless I try to totally "encapsulate" it. There goes the weight savings... And I'm just "leary" of putting anything described as "non-durable" down for a deck! Sigh... The original, (1915) plans call for three quarter inch, canvas covered, tongue and grove cedar. Does 9mm ply sound like a comparable alternative? Anybody have the weight calculations between the two methods handy?

[This message has been edited by Art Read (edited 11-28-2001).]