DaveH6
In the beginning.
In April 2009 after much pondering, I decided to go with Okoume plywood for its light weight. I also went with the highest standard of 1088.
Seems to me that the manufacturing processes for quality marine plywood ensures consistent thickness and lamination adherence qualities. I saw a picture of a high end fiberglass trawler that had impact damage above the waterline. The gel coat had fallen off well beyond the impact area because of resin starved fiberglass thus complicating the repair. In Solomons Island, Md I saw a fiberglass sailboat under going blister repair thus had the gel coat peeled off the bottom. There was about a 6' long strip of fiberglass very white in color thus indicating resin starvation. Consequently, I believe that in a quality plywood hull, one can be confident that initial hull thickness and panel strength is more predictable than the typical production fiberglass panel with the potential for human error in not adhering to the lamination schedule or improper wetting out technique. All this is conjecture on my part but it helps me to feel good that I was "smart" enough to choose a plywood build. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
* Edit 05/01/2012: I remain very pleased with the Joubert plywood as I have yet to find a void in a manufactured or cut edge. I also have yet to find a surface defect of any consequence. This experience is perhaps a classic case of getting what you pay for as this plywood is pricey. Per Internet forum postings, some say that plywood with a BS 1088 designation does not mean that Lloyds onsite inspectors verified that a manufacture's production processes meet the standards. It is simply a manufacture's claim of meeting the standard. Many say beware of BS 1088 claims from Chinese manufacturers with prices too good to be true. I have yet to come across a forum poster expressing disappointment with Joubert plywood.
After nearly two years, the wood remaining in this rack may be taking a set to it, so I have disassembled the rack and laid the plywood flat. While in the rack it is a good idea to clamp the wood together into a solid "block" to keep individual sheets from cupping. I failed to do the clamping and to my eye didn't notice any cupping but why take a chance since some say they have seen this happen after a few months.
Much satisfaction to reflect on a stack of raw materials and what one's hands and determination can produce. Building a boat is one of life's less than stellar financial decisions as one can go to sea much quicker and less expensively by purchasing a used boat. But, when I'm in my garage with a wood plane in my hand and singing along with the radio, my contentment is priceless.
Edit: 01/15/2014. A forum poster reported an area of delamination in the top ply of a single sheet of Joubert that was not put into use. . Speculation is that since the outer plys are drum sanded, dull sandpaper may have overheated the top ply and caused the glue to fail.
Edit: 06/10/2017- in the May /June 2017 issue of Woodenboat magazine, John Harris (owns Chesapeake Light Craft) authored an article on today's marine plywood offerings. An enlightening if not cautionary discussion that may be helpful to those considering a marine plywood purchase. John reports that Joubert Okoume is his go to plywood.
In the beginning.
In April 2009 after much pondering, I decided to go with Okoume plywood for its light weight. I also went with the highest standard of 1088.
Seems to me that the manufacturing processes for quality marine plywood ensures consistent thickness and lamination adherence qualities. I saw a picture of a high end fiberglass trawler that had impact damage above the waterline. The gel coat had fallen off well beyond the impact area because of resin starved fiberglass thus complicating the repair. In Solomons Island, Md I saw a fiberglass sailboat under going blister repair thus had the gel coat peeled off the bottom. There was about a 6' long strip of fiberglass very white in color thus indicating resin starvation. Consequently, I believe that in a quality plywood hull, one can be confident that initial hull thickness and panel strength is more predictable than the typical production fiberglass panel with the potential for human error in not adhering to the lamination schedule or improper wetting out technique. All this is conjecture on my part but it helps me to feel good that I was "smart" enough to choose a plywood build. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
* Edit 05/01/2012: I remain very pleased with the Joubert plywood as I have yet to find a void in a manufactured or cut edge. I also have yet to find a surface defect of any consequence. This experience is perhaps a classic case of getting what you pay for as this plywood is pricey. Per Internet forum postings, some say that plywood with a BS 1088 designation does not mean that Lloyds onsite inspectors verified that a manufacture's production processes meet the standards. It is simply a manufacture's claim of meeting the standard. Many say beware of BS 1088 claims from Chinese manufacturers with prices too good to be true. I have yet to come across a forum poster expressing disappointment with Joubert plywood.
After nearly two years, the wood remaining in this rack may be taking a set to it, so I have disassembled the rack and laid the plywood flat. While in the rack it is a good idea to clamp the wood together into a solid "block" to keep individual sheets from cupping. I failed to do the clamping and to my eye didn't notice any cupping but why take a chance since some say they have seen this happen after a few months.
Much satisfaction to reflect on a stack of raw materials and what one's hands and determination can produce. Building a boat is one of life's less than stellar financial decisions as one can go to sea much quicker and less expensively by purchasing a used boat. But, when I'm in my garage with a wood plane in my hand and singing along with the radio, my contentment is priceless.
Edit: 01/15/2014. A forum poster reported an area of delamination in the top ply of a single sheet of Joubert that was not put into use. . Speculation is that since the outer plys are drum sanded, dull sandpaper may have overheated the top ply and caused the glue to fail.
Edit: 06/10/2017- in the May /June 2017 issue of Woodenboat magazine, John Harris (owns Chesapeake Light Craft) authored an article on today's marine plywood offerings. An enlightening if not cautionary discussion that may be helpful to those considering a marine plywood purchase. John reports that Joubert Okoume is his go to plywood.