Hi! I'm a first-time boat builder and thoroughly confused and questioning my sanity at deciding to build a boat...
I live in Spokane, WA, and have wanted a boat for years for fishing and touring the lakes and rivers around here. We don't get a lot of rain or humidity, do get snow and below freezing temperatures, and have nice warm summers. It can get very windy around here, which does create some decent sized waves on the lakes and bigger rivers. I say that so you know what I want to do and the type of weather we get around here, in case it matters in regard to responses.
I've decided to build a Spira Robalo Junior Panga (https://spirainternational.com/hp_roba.php) and have been reading up on what type of plywood to use for the hull and how to waterproof it. The more I read, the more confused I get...or I draw the conclusion that it doesn't really matter what I use.
I'm 65 years old, and this will probably be the only boat I'll own. I want it to last at least 10 to 15 years, and I'll probably be putting a 25 hp outboard on it. Most of the time, my wife and I will be the only people in it; but there may be a few times when there are 3 or 4 people in the boat. The boat will usually be used for day excursions, though there will be a few times a year when it sits in the water for 2 to 3 days and maybe once a year when it stays in the water for a week or so. When it's not in the water, it will be in our garage.
So, first question. What type of plywood should I use for the hull? I've read various opinions that it must be marine grade. But some people don't like marine grade Douglas fir because it supposedly "checks," whatever that is. Some people prefer Okoume. Some people say regular exterior plywood is fine. Some say not to use hardwood nor interior plywood. Jeff Spira suggested that I could use interior hardwood plywood such as Sande plywood (https://www.homedepot.com/p/12mm-Sa...ual-0-472-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-454532/203414055). The opinions are all over the board. And, of course, I'm asking for more opinions...
My inclination is to go with Okoume marine grade, but it is considerably more expensive. Is the cost worth it?
I've also read varying opinions on how to waterproof the exterior and interior, from just painting it well to using fiber glass on both sides. Some people say that all the framing should be coated with up to 3 coats of epoxy, others say to cover it with something like Thompsons Water Seal, and others again say just to paint it. If you do epoxy everything, do you do so to the individual pieces before you put them together for the framing and before you attach the plywood, or do you wait until after the boat is assembled? So far, I'm of the opinion to fiberglass the outside as per Jeff's instructions with 2 layers of 6 ounce cloth. I was going to epoxy the interior after I assembled everything until I read that that can have an adverse affect by keeping the wood from breathing. So, I'm not sure what to do with the inside. Regardless of what else I do to the interior, I do plan on painting the exterior and the interior.
Any thoughts on all this? Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Don
I live in Spokane, WA, and have wanted a boat for years for fishing and touring the lakes and rivers around here. We don't get a lot of rain or humidity, do get snow and below freezing temperatures, and have nice warm summers. It can get very windy around here, which does create some decent sized waves on the lakes and bigger rivers. I say that so you know what I want to do and the type of weather we get around here, in case it matters in regard to responses.
I've decided to build a Spira Robalo Junior Panga (https://spirainternational.com/hp_roba.php) and have been reading up on what type of plywood to use for the hull and how to waterproof it. The more I read, the more confused I get...or I draw the conclusion that it doesn't really matter what I use.
I'm 65 years old, and this will probably be the only boat I'll own. I want it to last at least 10 to 15 years, and I'll probably be putting a 25 hp outboard on it. Most of the time, my wife and I will be the only people in it; but there may be a few times when there are 3 or 4 people in the boat. The boat will usually be used for day excursions, though there will be a few times a year when it sits in the water for 2 to 3 days and maybe once a year when it stays in the water for a week or so. When it's not in the water, it will be in our garage.
So, first question. What type of plywood should I use for the hull? I've read various opinions that it must be marine grade. But some people don't like marine grade Douglas fir because it supposedly "checks," whatever that is. Some people prefer Okoume. Some people say regular exterior plywood is fine. Some say not to use hardwood nor interior plywood. Jeff Spira suggested that I could use interior hardwood plywood such as Sande plywood (https://www.homedepot.com/p/12mm-Sa...ual-0-472-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-454532/203414055). The opinions are all over the board. And, of course, I'm asking for more opinions...
My inclination is to go with Okoume marine grade, but it is considerably more expensive. Is the cost worth it?I've also read varying opinions on how to waterproof the exterior and interior, from just painting it well to using fiber glass on both sides. Some people say that all the framing should be coated with up to 3 coats of epoxy, others say to cover it with something like Thompsons Water Seal, and others again say just to paint it. If you do epoxy everything, do you do so to the individual pieces before you put them together for the framing and before you attach the plywood, or do you wait until after the boat is assembled? So far, I'm of the opinion to fiberglass the outside as per Jeff's instructions with 2 layers of 6 ounce cloth. I was going to epoxy the interior after I assembled everything until I read that that can have an adverse affect by keeping the wood from breathing. So, I'm not sure what to do with the inside. Regardless of what else I do to the interior, I do plan on painting the exterior and the interior.
Any thoughts on all this? Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Don
