Wood choice, for backing support, question ??

[Jasper Windvane]

I am looking over a head compartment rehab. The owner/seller messed up, did not know what he was doing, and quit. What a mess..
Rather than spend a huge amount of money, I got thinking ??? as I like to do.
Put a patch over, use ply. But then I wondered ?? What type of wood is
appropriate as a stud, or backing, for finish ply in a head area? Of course, at home, I'd run down to HD, or Lowes, pick up a couple of 2/4 x 8's,, cut/nail, then the finish ply would be screwed up nailed to the studs.. Must the stud, or support wood inside a sailboat be a hard hard wood? Can you use a softer, easier to work with wood, stud, which can be purchased at Home Depot?

Wood .. cut me some wood.. of slack.. or slack wood.. but don't slack off.

[paulk]

Something rot-resistant like red cedar or cypress might work well to provide structural support without being as heavy as a hardwood. Try looking for outdoor decking materials. Pine or "hem-fir" studs would be a rot magnet in my book. Red or White Oak would work, and might allow smaller sections to be used, but they're not actually that rot-resistant. Oak keel parts were frequently painted before being put together in order to forestall rot. If you can't find cedar decking boards, (and even if you can) painting all faces prior to assembly would probably be a good idea.

[poopdeckpappy]

Teak or Mahogany ply over mesquite framing

last you long time

[jrd22]

I'd just use clear Douglas fir and saturate it with epoxy on all sides prior to installation for the structural part. There are all kinds of marine ply with different veneers available to match what is in the rest of the boat.

[captainjay]

I would have no problem using ripped down pressure treated 2x4's for this. You wont need full dimension 2x4 as there won't be that much weight on them. After you cut them to fit, paint them with polyester resin or epoxy to seal them if you are really worried about rot. The "marine" plywood will rot out before the supports will.
Jay

[tommays]

Jasper will have to trade notes as i can assure you marine wood when wet FAILED


Most PT lumber is way to wet and would take months of drying things like IPE for decks is not that costly super strong and lives outside in the rain without issue

PlyDek XL™ Plywood Panels is used on deck boats it is a plain finish but marine grade and a fair price