Where is the most reasonable place to buy some marine grade plywood (3/8" and 1/2") 4X8 sheets? I’m considering building a small wooden jon boat just for fun (I am a cabinet maker), and none of my suppliers carry any feasible sort of marine grade.
A few years ago, before I moved away in 2006, I would have just gone to the place on the old Naval base, but from what I understand, it’s out of business now.
That guy on the Navy base has closed but I have gotten 3/4" from Buck Lumber on Maybank Rd. for around $100 a sheet I think. Maybe try Wurth Wood Group in N. Charleston.
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I haven’t had much luck finding quality marine ply anywhere locally. What many call marine ply is just pressure treated fir or pine. For the best quality and prices I order it from Vero Beach, FL. Shipping is only $100 (to Savannah) and you will probably need 6 or 7 sheets to build a small jon boat, so it’s worth it.
This is who I use, can’t beat the quality or the service
http://plywood.boatbuildercentral.com/
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
Grab a WoodenBoat magazine and take a look at the dealers in the back.
I used to use these folks in Wilmington, NC
http://anchorhardwoods.com/
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
If you’re thinking about building a little jon boat, read my thread here. http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=123418
Sorta give you an idea of what to expect.
Sea Island Boatworks in Charleston use to sell Okoume BS1088 Marine grade plywood. Not sure if they still do.
Thanks guys for the info. And I’ll give Sea Island a call soon.
Crackerlarry, what a great thread! Thanks, I looked at the whole thing. Fantastic work.
Thank you, Matt. I use a LOT of marine plywood 
Let me know if I can help you.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
I may contact you soon.
If I do build something, it will not be “exhibition grade”. I don’t have a ton of cash to put into it. I just want to build a good stable fishing boat for some inshore stuff. Maybe eventually putting a 5hp (or smaller) gas motor on it.
I would only need it to last 4-5 years or so. I’ve considered making a “trial run” out of using standard interior-grade plywood and just glassing it. I know I could get a couple seasons out of it before it delaminated lol.
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I've considered making a "trial run" out of using standard interior-grade plywood and just glassing it. I know I could get a couple seasons out of it before it delaminated lol.
I’d strongly recommend not doing that. Everyone I know who has regretted it. Your biggest investment is your labor, and cheap ply takes a lot more labor, and a lot more epoxy and glass. The epoxy and glass will be the next largest investment, and will more with cheap wood. The plywood itself is a minor part of the overall costs. Use the best and the boat will last a lifetime.
I’d also recommend starting with a good set of tried and proven plans. Jacques Mertens at Bateau designs the best jon boats I’ve ever seen and the plans are only about $40.
This is a GF12 that I built…
And another one…
And a GF16, I built this one over 10 years ago and she’s still in perfect condition
And another GF16…
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
Very cool.
I seriously can’t put enormous amounts of cash into this, so I’m weighing my options.
Is MDO a reasonable option? I don’t even know what MDO costs but it’s been suggested to me.
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Is MDO a reasonable option?
No. It’s good for temporary molds, not for permanent boat parts, and it isn’t cheap either.
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I seriously can't put enormous amounts of cash into this, so I'm weighing my options.
I understand, but in that position you also can’t afford to throw 90% of the same investment into something that will only last a couple of years, versus spending just a little more for a lifetime product with some resale value. Take your time and spread out the cost.
A boat like the gray one I pictured above requires 7 sheets of plywood. 4 sheets of 1/4 and 3 of 1/2". The good stuff cost $50 a sheet for 1/4" and $90 a sheet for 1/2. Plus $100 shipping. Shipping is the same for 1 sheet or 20. Total is $570. If you buy cheap plywood locally, you might spend less than $300 Savings is $300.
The epoxy and fiberglass, if you use good materials, will cost at least $700. More if you use cheap plywood. It sucks up epoxy like a sponge, and good plywood is cheaper than good epoxy:wink:
Your labor will be at least 200 man hours on that boat, if you work fairly efficiently. What is that worth to you? At minimum wage it’s worth $1,500. Cheap materials take even more labor. And when you try to make a strong bend in a piece of cheap ply, it’s likely to break, because it has voids in it, and you have to buy and cut another piece.
And don’t overlook the expendables. A small boat like that will require at least 100 sanding disks, close to 100 disposable brushes and rollers, a hundred mixing cups, a hundred mixing sticks, dozens of rubber gloves, dust masks, and such. You’ll use a couple of quarts of denatured alcohol
Good wisdom there Larry, thanks.
I’m not that afraid of the man hours, and I actually have a CNC router available to me to speed up the plywood cutting time and accuracy (possibly, lol). Now if I could find a CNC orbital palm sander 