Okoume Plywood veneer

[petergumbrell]

I am constructing new doors for the companionway using the existing ones as a template. I have learned that the existing doors are plywood with a okoume veneer and I am going to construct something similar. Can I do this using any plywood - such a birch - or should I start with a mahogany plywood?

[davidpm]

You can of course make the doors out of just about anything. If this project is expected to last however "big box store" wood, either mahogany or birch will not last too long. In fact it could fail in only a season or two. Real marine plywood has thicker surface veneers, higher quality interior veneers and interior veneers with no voids.
If you let us know where you are from I suspect some regular members will be able to help you with sourcing.

Also the design is an issue so you will get a better answer with pictures.

[paulk]

Like Dave suggests, standard plywood is likely to end up giving you headaches. The marine ply can also come in varying degrees of quality. It may not have voids, but may have football patches, for example, depending upon the manufacturer or type of wood. Whatever you do, be sure to epoxy-coat the exposed edges. This will keep them from absorbing water (there WILL be water- it's a boat!) and delaminating. Even marine ply with its more water-resistant glues will delaminate if it repeatedly gets wet. Trying to save weight by going too thin is also not a good idea. If a crew gets thrown against it and it never shuts properly again, you'll have to do it all over again - heavier - anyway.

[petergumbrell]

Thanks for the responses. I am from north of Toronto, and I sail on Lake Huron. I am planning to use the okoume veneer and will attach it to 1/2" plywood. I am thinking that 2mm veneer should be sufficient. What type of plywood would you suggest that I start with?

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by petergumbrell

Thanks for the responses. I am from north of Toronto, and I sail on Lake Huron. I am planning to use the okoume veneer and will attach it to 1/2" plywood. I am thinking that 2mm veneer should be sufficient. What type of plywood would you suggest that I start with?

Peter,

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but reading your note above, it sounds as though you plan to put a veneer layer over a piece of standard plywood? That is really going about things the hard way.

My suggestion would be to purchase a sheet of marine plywood of appropriate thickness for the job. This marine ply would already have the veneer on the outer layers. No need to purchase a separate veneer layer. If your boat has a teak interior, you can even get teak-veneers.

[funjohnson]

Why not get Okoume marine plywood? It would already have the finish you want.

Here is the local place I use, but any good lumber yard can order it for you. http://www.theworkbench.com/pdf/plywood.pdf (it's page 15 on this pdf)

[jarcher]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

Why not get Okoume marine plywood? It would already have the finish you want.

Here is the local place I use, but any good lumber yard can order it for you. http://www.theworkbench.com/pdf/plywood.pdf (it's page 15 on this pdf)

Do you know of a place where a smaller board could be ordered? For example, I need a teak board that is about 10 inches by 19 inches...

[funjohnson]

Originally Posted by jarcher

Do you know of a place where a smaller board could be ordered? For example, I need a teak board that is about 10 inches by 19 inches...

Ebay may have the right board for you..... Click Here

[jarcher]

Ebay has everything! Thank you.