Odd Size Marine Lumber?

[meandthee]

I'm trying to find a 5' x 8' x 3/4" sheet of 7 ply marine plywood for my Lowe 24' toon. Seems it is only available to the toon manufacturer? Does any one know where to buy a piece this size OR what have others done if they have had a similar problem? Thanks again guys (and gals)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

Normally I would tell people that it is near impossible.... however, based on your location MO is FULL of boat manufacturing facilities. You might to to contact them...... otherwise you will have to make your own using sheets of 3/8 and laminate them together to create a 5X 8

Good luck

 

[steelespike]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

You might be able to do a scarf joint.Commonly used in plywood boat construction.
If you can find tongue and groove you could add a foot using the tongue and groove edge.I would be using properly prepared T&G pt plywood.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

i would not use PT on the toon, adjacent to the aluminum. anything bigger than 4x8 is special order. and BIG BUCKS.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

i would not use PT on the toon, adjacent to the aluminum. anything bigger than 4x8 is special order. and BIG BUCKS.

...not trying to hi-jack a thread, just thinking with my fingers.

Could tongue and groove ADVANTECH be used in this application?? From recent experience through two house additions, this stuff is hard as nails, perfectly flat and square, I have seen rainwater stand on it for weeks (the water actually beads up!!). I would believe that a good resin coating, especially along edges and pentrations, would enhance its durability.
Do a quick search for "Advantech Specifications" and give it some thought.
We now return to our irregularily scheduled discussions.
FWIW.....Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[steelespike]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

i would not use PT on the toon, adjacent to the aluminum. anything bigger than 4x8 is special order. and BIG BUCKS.

Thats why I suggested properly prepared;a coating or something to seperate it from the metal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

the problem is it does not like metal fasteners either.

the tongue and groove works beautifully.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

the problem is it does not like metal fasteners either.

the tongue and groove works beautifully.

Yes,I would try those plastic pop fasteners. A split plastic pin with a center pin you
you tap in with a hammer.

 

[meandthee]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

Thanks for the many replies and advice. I still have not decided what is best. Surprisingly here in the Ozarks could not even find a company willing to order it. I could get it from STL but REALLY big bucks. I will let you all know the outcome as I did find a local small boat builder willing to work with me if I go the tongue and groove route.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

I'm curious as to why you would need 5' wide plywood. If the sheets are laid 8' across the deck, then you could stop at the nearest crossmember to the 4' wide point, rip it to size if necessary and fasten it. You would no doubt have to rip one or two sheets anyway to make it work, as you normally have an oddball piece or two in the length of the deck. Are your crossmembers on 16 or 24 inch centers?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

He has a 24 foot toon, I assume the deck is 24 feet so six 4x8 sheets would cover all of it, right?

 

[lowkee]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

How are you trying to lay this ply? I'm interested in how the toon is braced. I assume the current ply isn't spanning the entire 5' span unaided by bracing, so why would you need to span it all in a single plank?

I don't see the toon being 5' wide, so I'm assuming 8' is the width, so what is wrong with using two 2.5'x8' pieces spliced together either by tongue and groove or a finger joint, which is much stronger (but only available to you if you have a router)? The finger joint is very much preferred, as you have much greater gluing surface area than a standard tongue and groove, and more surface area == stronger bond.

Here is a finger joint:

 

[steelespike]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

My guess is they use 5' cause it goes down a little faster and has fewer joints.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

He did say he was looking for "a" sheet of 5'x8' so maybe he is only looking to replace 5 feet from one end of pontoon.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Odd Size Marine Lumber?

Try checking with a sign shop in your area, I used to work for one here that used 5x10' MDO plywood all the time for billboards and other signs. They kept it in large quantities for screen printing jobs and it lasted for many years just painted up on billboards. (I often used to take home the used panels they took down for use at home. I built my shed from that stuff.

They mostly used MDO plywood which was basically a high grade treated plywood with a smooth paper layer laminated to each side. It wasn't cheap but it wasn't out of reach price wise either. Many of the billboards that it was used on took 6 of such sheets stood on end for a total sign face of 10'x30', some were even wider. Check with a few sign shops for different options, they will also know which brands to stay away from. You may even get one to sell you a single sheet or two.