PVC Board

General Boats and Motors
1

I posted a couple of weeks ago about redoing a fiberglass Jon boat. Part of what I want to do is extend the platform on the bow to create some storage up front and for a bigger area to stand on. Several people recommended PVC board rather than marine plywood but, the only place I have found it in Columbia only sells it by a 4’ x 8’ sheet at $200+. I need a piece approx. 3’ x 3’. Does anyone have a source for a piece this size?

Thanks

2

check with vynil siding suppliers. Soem lumber supplies have it as well

3

I just used my last piece of starboard a few weeks ago, otherwise I’d sell it to you. I’ll check and see if my old boss has any pieces that size. What thickness are you looking for?
Actually, $200 is not a bad price for a 54" X 96" sheet. I’ve checked prices everywhere and the cheapest I’ve found is over double that. West marine sells that same sheet (1/2" thick) for $519.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

4

If you are looking for 3/4" I will split a sheet with you. I live in Columbia

5

Here is a 3’ x 3’ x 3/4" piece of HPDE (a.k.a Starboard) for $129
Thats what I use in place of Starboard
http://www.mcmaster.com/#hdpe/=9jlp2f

2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”

6

Maybe I am looking for the wrong thing. Is PVC board and Starboard the same thing? I originally thought about marine ply but someone suggested PVC board. It has to have some rigidity. As far as thickness, a minimum of 1/2" - 3/4". Hey Bob, yeah, I didn’t think $200 was bad, I just didn’t need that much. Let me know what you find out and I’ll keep posting. Steelytom, if I can’t find a small piece, I may holler back at you.

Thanks.

7

Starboard and PVC board are not the same. I think starboard is what you’re looking for. Check out http://teakisle.com/materials_used.asp They give a good explanation of both with their uses.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

8

I need to replace the wood in the center of my floor that covers the gas tank. I really only care about the structural value. what is the better choice for this application?

9

I would choose the starboard. It still needs to be supported like plywood.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

10

Thanks Bob!

11

Starboard is slippery. Have you thought about having aluminum welded in??

12

What I had originally planned to do was extend the small platform already there by fiberglassing in a piece of marine ply. I would do the same with starboard and then paint it to match the rest of the boat.

13

You will have no luck painting starboard.

Being superstitious is bad luck.

14

I was going to glass over it and onto the existing platform.

15

I think glassing over starboard or PVC is overkill. Just do the plywood.

16

You’ll have a hard time having ANYTHING stick to starboard (paint, glue, resin). I agree with IM4USC, if you’re going to glass over it, go with the plywood.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

17

If you want to glass it in, Starboard and PVC are the wrong track, DF. Either go with the marine playwood or buy either foam-core board, honeycomb-core board, or G-10. All of them are good for glassing in, The middle two are lighter, while the latter is strong and rigid. Plywood is obviously the cheapest route.

Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862

18

There are several suppliers on the web for suitable composite board/coring material. This isn’t necessarily the cheapest, but here’s one.

(Keep in mind that g-10 is a lot stronger than Starboard per thickness.)

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1593&familyName=Baltek+Airex+PXc+Boards

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8758&nobot_crawl

If you call the supplier, they often have helpful techs who will give you some advice.

Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862

19

Thanks for all the input. I originally planned to use ply but then someone suggested PVC board. I wanted to glass it onto the existing area and paint it to match so it will look like part of the boat (I am picky like that). I’ll look into these other products. Again, thanks for all teh input, I always appreciate the info. folks provide here.

20

I may have a piece of PVC board left over from a restroom petition job I did a couple of months ago? I was saving it for “any” good reason, and it looks like you have one!
It’s 58"x57". It’s an Ivory shade, and if it’ll work for you, then it’s yours!
We need to see how to get it in your hands? I may be heading to Folly this weekend to check out a center console unit. I’m not sure yet though.

…Politicians aren’t the “Oldest Profession”, but the results are still the same!!!