Marine ply alternative for floors

[Kudzu]

Hear me out. I have always used marine plywood in my boat, i know the whys and why not's.

But I need one sheet, MAYBE one and half of 1/2" ply to replace some of the floors. No supplier near me, I have an account with a wholesaler and they no longer even stock Doug Fir. Not that I would use it, it was one step above trash. My only options are lucking up some (did that for the hull repairs, lightning will never strike twice) or having it trucked in. Shipping is a good bit more than cost of the plywood.

Since this is for floors I am looking for a decent alternative. Some sort of construction subflooring maybe? Not liking most options but I thought I would ask if anyone has a good suggestion that I might find locally.

[sp_clark]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Similarly challenged a few weeks ago ($200 for a full sheet of 12mm 1088 okoume then $600 to pallet / ship UPS...) I opted for 3/4 of a sheet in 3 panels 2' x 4' that will accommodate my 'getting out' frames & other bits for a SoF Shenandoah Whitehall I'm yearning for.

No idea of what length your floors need to be but getting stuff 8' shipped has become rather costly. The 2' x 4' ran about $175 from CLC with another $50 for FedEx delivery. May be worth a call or e-mail to see if 2' x 8' sheets have some potential for your modest needs?

Three decades ago I bought six sheets of 5mm 1088 from an east coast supplier, had it palleted then shipped to near Chicago for what I recall was about $225 total. How time has a way of changing things....

[Jfitzger]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Big box stores near me carry MDO. 1/2" is about $89 a sheet. Skiff Craft in Ohio used it for lapstrake planking hulls. As long as the edges are sealed I've had really good luck.

[peter radclyffe]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Timber

[long time lurker]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Floor timbers or sole? What boat? Photos?

Make your own from three layers of veneers with glass in epoxy between. Make the inner layer thicker than the faces, the closer to the surface the glass is the more stiffness it will add to the layup.

Veneers sawn from the clear edges of 2X12 framing lumber (NOT the sapwood).

Labor intensive but fun. Maybe you have access to a full width door sander at a sash and door shop.

[Kudzu]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Big box stores near me carry MDO. 1/2" is about $89 a sheet.

I would use it but have not found it near me. Well there is a supplier that stocks 3/4" and sells it to constructions companies for concrete molds. But can't find 1/2" to match the rest the existing.

[wizbang 13]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

floors?
or sole?

[neil.henderson]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

I suspect the author is referring to what many of us call a sole - what you walk on when in the boat.

Friend of mine is using 12mm construction ply for his sole - it will be encapsulated in epoxy and covered with marine carpet. Being his 13th boat that he has built it is likely that his approach will work. So, I'd suggest this approach as an option. i use 19mm pine cut into strips about 80mm wide.

Regards Neil

[wizbang 13]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

being his 13th boat....
"construction grade ply"...."encapsulated"..."marine carpet"
these are three words not found on my first boat

[Rigadog]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

I would use it but have not found it near me. Well there is a supplier that stocks 3/4" and sells it to constructions companies for concrete molds. But can't find 1/2" to match the rest the existing.

Check Harbor Sales for MDO

[gypsie]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

Better off using good ply - construction ply just drinks epoxy in my experience. Ends up being more expensive and time consuming.

How big a boat?
Is this a sole as in for a yacht? Or something in a runabout?
Will it get wet regularly? Exposed to the elements?

[gray duck]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

You don't see it much on these pages but I have thought about using Coosa board in sole/floor construction.
Lightweight Fiberglass Composite Boards by Coosa Composites - place in your state

[Kudzu]

Re: Marine ply alternative for floors

You don't see it much on these pages but I have thought about using Coosa board....

Heard of it but I have never been able to find it near me. But your link does list a dealer, Advanced Plastics that has to locations within 100 miles and that would be totally doable. I will have to call and see if by any chance they stock it or can get it. I think that would be a better choice.