Marine plywood not available

[Patricia D.]

I have been searching for marine plywood to use for the subfloor in my Ventura but there is none to be had in my area. What is the next best plywood (and treatment if necessary)?
Patricia

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Patricia D.

I have been searching for marine plywood to use for the subfloor in my Ventura but there is none to be had in my area. What is the next best plywood (and treatment if necessary)?
Patricia

Did you go to a regular lumber yard supplier? They should be able to order some in for you from one of their distributors even if they don't normally stock it. Talk to the manager and see what they say.

Marine plywood is not an standard on the shelf item you will find at places such as Home Depot.

The next best thing will be an exterior rated plywood but do try to obtain the marine grade first.

[steve dunham]

Menards , Home Depot and Lowe's sell Marine Grade AB treated plywood. They don't stock it but they can order it .Roseburg is one of the suppliers . If someone in your area manufactures boats ,especially pontoon boats try there . The decks of pontoon boats are made with treated 7 ply marine plywood , they are subject to a lot of moisture and last for years.

[bpfick]

If the windows and fixtures are kept in tact, the floor should last decades. For that reason, marine plywood, while awesome, wouldn't be absolutely necessary in my universe. Treated plywood would likely outlast me and would be plenty good, especially if coated well to seal it up particuarly on the cut edges. Again, with the caveat of not rotting from the top down.

[RogerDat]

+1 on you can ask at the Home Depot (or I would guess Lowes) customer service desk or contractors desk. I needed some for a project and they will order it but don't stock it.


At the same time a local lumber yard did stock 1/2 inch marine plywood to service trailer, dock and pontoon boat market in the area.


In addition to waterproof glue marine plywood has fewer voids allowed and they are smaller voids (knot hole hidden in an inner layer is a void) Less likely to have hollow spots on the inside that will hold moisture or be weak spots.

[Patricia D.]

Thanks for all your responses. I naively thought that, with our community on one of the largest lakes in the world and with a thriving commercial fish industry, marine plywood would be a stock item in at least one of the 3 lumber yards. Apparently not.
I will start phoning around tomorrow and see if anyone can order it. The responses to my enquiries were blank or confused looks so I am thinking the boating community have their own sources. Maybe hanging out at the boat yard would be more productive.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Patricia D.

.....Maybe hanging out at the boat yard would be more productive.

If hearing fish stories and other nautical related lies counts as productive... WINNER! At least that is how it works with brother in law in Florida.

I'm sure the boat yard(s) or lumber yards can hook you up with a source.

[redbarron55]

For the floor in my 16' Scamp I used 3/4" exterior and covered both sides and the edges with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin.
I fitted the pieces and to let the cloth lay down along the edge I rounded the edges.
I installed the fiberglassed floor abd bonded it to the shell with strips of fabric and more epoxy,
My thought was that the floor needed to be waterproofed from the inside more than the outside.
The floor rot starts from leaks and lets the water pool on the floor.

[Rory B.]

Originally Posted by Patricia D.

I have been searching for marine plywood to use for the subfloor in my Ventura but there is none to be had in my area. What is the next best plywood (and treatment if necessary)?
Patricia

No idea where in Manitoba you are but maybe these guys are close enough or can point you in the right direction. Good luck.

Tropical Marine Plywood (BS1088) | Windsor Plywood

[Patricia D.]

You have done my work for me, thanks. Windsor has it and not as expensive as I had feared. It is a trip to the city but will be worth it.
I am just finishing the removal of the current floor and was going to start calling around, but no need now, thanks so much.
Everyone who helps out on these forums is wonderful. I read posts, new and old, every night and have learned so much. Great not having to reinvent the wheel.

[Backwater Bill]

Castle Building Supplies in Ontario ordered a sheet for me in Ontario. They have stores in Manitoba too.

[The Minimalist]

For reference; Marine plywood and exterior grade plywood are basically the same thing, with the plies glued with resorcinol or other waterproof glue. The difference is that the voids on the inner plies of marine plywood were plugged. The voids are those football shaped plugs you see on some plywood.The inner voids in exterior plywood which have not been plugged, can absorb and hold moisture, and become a source of rot.

[Old Macdonalds]

Have you tried Windsor Plywood on Pembina Hwy, Route 90, or Main Street in Winnipeg? They carry a lot of specialty lumber and I know my buddy bought some a couple of years ago for building a canoe because he scrounged my truck to get it home.

[Patricia D.]

After a tip from Rory (in California, I think) I called Windsor on Main and they have 3 sheets. I will go in on Thurs. Windsor Plywood is great, especially for items like maple trims that no one else carries.