StarBoard material?

[fiestaMojo]

This may have been asked in another thread, but a search brought too many references to starboard to weeed through. Anyways, why is the StarBoard material so expensive? Are there any (cheap) alternatives? I need to make new companionway hatchboards; I thought a "plastic" type material such as the StarBoard might be the way to go, until I saw the prices - ouch! Any thoughts?

[lunarrichard]

i'm not sure if it is any cheaper but you might want to check out aqua-plas iv from piedmont plastics. just google piedmont plastics and they can refer you to a place where you can check it out and find out what it costs.

good luck,

andy

[lshick]

And I'm not sure that StarBoard is appropriate for hatchboards in any case. It's not supposed to be "structural," i.e., don't use it where you need to depend upon the strength of the material. And I would think you'd want your hatchboards to be strong.

[PorFin]

Why not use wood? You can always paint it if you want the white color.

If you build it with either marine (preferred) or exterior plywood, make sure you seal it well with an epoxy primer or thinned epoxy resin. Once cured, sand and paint. This seems to me to be the least expensive and easiest solution.

Just a thought...

[Faster]

Starboard would be a bit heavy for companionway hatchboards in any case - and too pricey.

Standard Acrylic or Lexan (let cost be your guide) works well, and lets light in too. If you want the privacy you can get coloured acrylics, remember that even heavily "smoked" plexi is transparent when there's more light inside.

[Flybyknight]

Starboard is polyethylene, the same stuff as milk jugs, and has the least UV resistance of any other plastic. Even if loaded with pigment, it will turn
off color in time. Try ebay for mahogany or teak lumber.

Dick

[CaptainForce]

We've selected a three layer lamination of lexan with the middle layer cut out for an artful inclusion:


Our starboard handrails have been functioning well for a decade without fading or signs of deterioration:
'take care and joy, Aythya crew