Best Marine Plywood For Upholstery/Where to buy?

[Holden]

I need to replace some wood in the seat cushions in the boat as the wood has rotted on one (figured I'd knock out both). For this application, what type of marine plywood should I be looking into? Also, is there a big box national chain that maight have this?

 

[Loneranger]

You can get pressure treated exterior plywood at any of the big box stores. True marine grade plywood I have not seen at the big box stores. Marine grade plywood has all of the voids removed (up to 1/8 inch can be left behind). The exterior grade plywood can have voids up to 1 1/2 inch. The link below has the exact standards.

http://www.glen-l.com/wood-plywood/marine-plywood.html

I have built many small dinghies out of exterior grade plywood (not marine grade) and they have performed wonderfully for me in fresh water applications. Bottom line you can use marine grade plywood but it is way more expensive and harder to locate. I believe exterior grade ply will work just fine.

John

 

[Holden]

Am I understanding that exterior grade is the same as treated plywood? Lowes carries this. I can order marine plywood from Lowes or Home Depot, but I have no clue as to species (fir or ??). Right now there is 1/2". Thinking of jumping to 3/4". Might double check to see if enough vinyl left over if I go to thicker board.

 

[Dasch Boat]

For seat cushion bases I have used 3/4" exterior grade plywood with great results. I also sanded the edges to soften them and coated with a marine grade paint before reupolstering.

 

[1956olds]

I used arauco for my gunnel clappboards and coated them with fiberglass resin.my upholsterer used marine grade covered with west systems epoxy for the seat rebuild.Arauco is available at select menards.

 

[tobnpr]

Am I understanding that exterior grade is the same as treated plywood? Lowes carries this. I can order marine plywood from Lowes or Home Depot, but I have no clue as to species (fir or ??). Right now there is 1/2". Thinking of jumping to 3/4". Might double check to see if enough vinyl left over if I go to thicker board.

Nope.
"Exterior Grade" refers only to the glue used when laminating the plys. Waterproof glue..mostly. The waterproof glues used nowadays are nothing compared to those used with Okoume or Meranti plywood, where you can literally boil the wood and it won't delaminate.
"Pressure Treated" is fir plywood that has been treated (under pressure to soak into the wood) with a rot-resistant preservative.
"Marine Plywood" is exterior-grade plywood where there are no voids in any of the plys- structural applications like transoms. Not necessary for seat bases.

If you're going to use wood instead of a composite, treated is the way you want to go.

 

[roadkingh1]

What was on my boat was marine grade plywood.....and it rotted. I reupholsted two of my seats and my transom door with PT plywood from Home Depot.

Good luck
Ted

 

[SCORPIO]

Marine plywood is expensive, read about $100 a sheet, so for non structural upholstery panels, I'd use a good exterior or treated plywood. Soak it out with resin to help prevent water damage and it will likely outlast the boat.
JMHO

 

[stuckinforward]

i got suckered once in buying marine grade at 96.00 a sheet, like i said once....since then, normall exterior ply. not DECK treated wood as you would use for your deck outside your house, I was told it was the difference on the finish and voids and nothing to do with glue because the wood is still suseptible to rot.
now this goes without saying many many floors, stringers and transoms, normal fir plywood scuffed and coated with polyester resin to water proof and if you adhere CPES, epoxy. just my 02

 

[88dancer300]

I am doing a cockpit rehab on my classic sundancer. I used 1/2"" marine grade @ $100.00 a sheet to rebuild the transom flip down seat, back and the entire enclosure due to the fact that I am laminating those parts as factory did with a high pressure laminate. The rest of the wood in the cockpit for side panels and other seat bottoms and backs, I used the best quality exterior grade 1/2" plywood I could find @ $18.00 a sheet. Then put on a couple of coats of resin. The water will still someday migrate into the wood through the millions of staples, but what Sea Ray did in 88 lasted 22 years. What I have done will last at least that long. I will post some pics of the upholstery done next week when I get it back. These are pics of the wood work.

 

[1956olds]

nice job ,i just did that on my 300 we this winter.still have a few nuts and washers to pick up and install.didnt do the fold down though but im thinking about that still.I just towed it 15 miles to the canvas shop yesterday to have a full camper made for it,so i am finally getting a break for 2 weks .except for carpeting the cabin steps and cabin floor and ........................... come on may 5th.

 

[88dancer300]

What is that camper top going to cost roughly? We are thinking of having the back made for ours. Thanx.

 

[1956olds]

I am having the bimini, windshield piece,side curtains and camper top and sides and back with windows and screens made for 2100.00 at kens canvas in linwood mi.Hes a retired guy that started sewing 15 yrs ago and does fantastic work.