Marine Grade Plywood and Lumber

kram · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2006

Where can I obtain Marine Grade Plywood and Lumber in the Chicago area?

KenD · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

I had a conversation with a supplier of plywood products about two months ago,wherein I asked about the same thing.His reply was that they use the same glues to make oak,cherry,maple and the rest of the sheet hardwood plys,as they use for teak that is supplied to the production boat builders.It makes sense if you seal the edges.Google exotic hardwoods and see what is close to you.

Gary M · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

While it is true that exterior grade plywoood uses the same glue as marine, marine grade is superor in that it does not have as many voids and faults as your typical exterior grade. Depending on what you are using it for exterior fir may be just fine but then again it may not be.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

Marine grade plywood specifications actually limit the number of voids and faults allowed, and specify the actual thickness of each ply, etc. Depending on what you are doing, and how you are sealing the wood, exterior grade may work just fine. However, if I were buidling a boat of any significant size or upgrading the interior of a bluewater cruising boat, I would use marine plywood, as the bulkheads in many boats are structural elements, and skimping on the materials strikes me as a bit foolish when it may save your life later on.

duffer1960 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006

I juste completed a job replacing my rotted cockpit sole with 1/2" marine ply. I highly recommend going with the marine stuff. So that I wouldn't waste the expensive marine plywood, I made all of my original sections out of reqular 1/2 inch plywood untill they fit perfectly. I then traced these onto the marine ply. the one thing that really stood out was STRENGTH! The regular stuff I could bend back and forth with no problem. The marine grade, the same thickness as the regular, was as solid as steel. Also, I think it was 9 layers!
Stick with marine.

bcar · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008

I found this thread (I know it's really old), but for those that find this thread, here is what I have:

Plywood and Door- John (carries Okume)
10125 South Roberts Rd.
Palos Hills, IL 60465
866.738.7224 toll free
708.599.0200 voice

Wood World - Chuck (Carries Okume, Meranti, and DF)
2460 W George
Chicago, IL
773-267-3800

Hardwood Resources - Alisha (not sure what they carry)
773-394-1000

Rockter · #7 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008

Beware Tiawanese marine ply. Mine certainly wasn't.