Marine Plywood
Marine Plywood
What to expect from Marine Plywood
Marine plywood is purpose built structural plywood with a permanent Type A bond glue, and comes under the standard of AS 2272 or BS 1088. It is intended for use in marine or high moisture environments. Each face veneer should be a minimum of 1.0mm and not thicker than 3.8mm, each core veneer shall be no thicker than 4.8mm.
Marine plywood is made from selected species and therefore has known and consistent structural properties. AS2272 assigned stress grade is F14 and is manufactured with 2 A grade veneer faces, these must present a solid surface that is free from open defects and free of knots other than pin knots, which will readily provide a surface that will accommodate a clear or painted finish.
All timber products may be subject to decay and termite attack under certain conditions, which is why all plywood must be treated with 3 coats of epoxy on every surface for a waterproof finish.
Defective bonds, pleats, overlaps, and gaps in faces should not be present. Occasional gaps may be repaired using veneer inserts bonded with the proper adhesive. Further information is available on our website ask us for the article from AABB titled “Plywood Idiosyncrasies”
All plywood photographs are typical of the type and size of plywood. Sheets vary within deliveries from one manufacturer and even more so between manufacturers. The relevant standards do permit considerable variation in construction and appearance.
NOTE: ALWAYS PURCHASE 2 X 3 MM MDF SHEETS WHEN HAVING PLYWOOD SHIPPED TO PROTECT THE FACES DURING TRANSPORT
Hoop pine Timber
Hoop pine ply is made from Australian plantation grown hoop pine. It is by far the best plywood manufactured in Australia today. The veneers are of an even thickness and the marine plywood is made to AS 2272 which is a more stringent standard than BS 1088 but like all good things you pay a premium for it. The B-B hoop exterior plywood is manufactured to AS 2271 and is superior to many of the imported marine plywoods to BS 1008
From an ethical, sustainable point of view, Hoop pine is streets ahead of most of its plantation-grown exotic softwood counterparts. Boatcraft only stock #1 Clear grade dressed all round Hoop Pine. This is the finest most effect-free grade available.
More on Australian Native pine
An Australian native pine found in the drier parts of the rain forests of Queensland and northern NSW. The trees grow to 60 metres tall and can live for 450 years. The trees grow slowly and usually very straight as seen in the photos below. Hoop pine is also known as Dorrigo pine, Richmond River pine, Colonial Pine, Queensland Pine, Moreton Bay Pine, Alloa, Ningwik, Pien, and Arakaria.
Hoop Pine timber used for frames and stringers
Comparison of Qualitative and Technical Aspects of Douglas Fir and Hoop Pine.
Hoop Pine Plywood on deck
Hoop Pine Information
Pink Marine Plywood
This plywood used to be called Pacific Maple Marine Ply. That is another name for Meranti or the scientific name is Shorea sp.
There are about 24 species within the Shorea genus which are called Meranti. Only some of those are red or pink in colour. It is a tropical hardwood and is considered to be "moderately durable, fairly short grained of moderate density and often has a very attractive colour and grain. Pacific Maple is also known as Philippines Mahogany, Luan and Luaun. This varies according to which subspecies of Shorea was used for the veneers in the marine plywood. It is the best of the economical Asian ply and meets BS1088.
Gaboon
Mourikis Gaboon Marine Plywood is a high quality plywood produced with 100% veneers of Okoume, timber species. This plywood is light weight and is available in sizes from 1.5 mm to 25 mm at sheet dimensions of 2500 mm x 1220 mm. It is excellent for kayaks and other applications where minimum weight or superior appearance is required. It is specially manufactured to provide durability, longevity, and to meet BS 1088-1:2003 and EN 13986 requirements. Its physical characteristics are very stable and can withstand exposure to severe weather conditions for prolonged periods of time. It is type approved by Lloyd's register, as meeting BS1088.
Examples of Mourikis Gaboon sealed and coated with Bote Cote on a new Moth Scow sailing dinghy.
Bendy Ply
Bendy Ply is super-flexible plywood that provides a cost-effective, convenient solution for producing rounded structures especially when small radii are required. Available in:
• 1.5 mm Mourikis Gaboon Marine Plywood certified to BS1088. Size - 2500 x 1220mm.
• 5 & 6mm Bendy Ply
Bendy Ply is plywood that can be easily curved into a variety of forms (example to the side). Produced with durable bond-type glue, it is stable, light, and easy to handle.
Species include Meranti Tropical Hardwood and Hoop Pine
Grades: A Face / C Back
Application: Featured curved wall panelling, decorative ceiling lining and free form designs. Also great for curved furniture in boats.
Laminating: is easily achieved using purbond single pack adhesive, EPOX-E-Glue or Bote Cote thickened with gluing and filleting filler.
Birch Craft Ply
This premium plywood is used in Model Aircraft, Display and Exhibition, Telescopes, furniture, and Souvenirs. It comes in thickness down to 0.4mm which is a 3 ply. The sheet size is 1.22mx1.22m. It is manufactured of Finish Birch in Finland by Koskisen.
KoskiPly birch is a strong yet flexible cross-banded plywood, made throughout from birch veneers and faced with a joint-free birch veneer. Veneers can be left in their natural state, lacquered, waxed, or stained. Faces grade is AB/B so that the AB can be clear finished and the B face will provide a base for a high-quality paint finish.
This plywood is the same plywood manufactured for use in building aircraft, but it has not undergone rigorous testing to be classified as aircraft graded. If you use it for light aircraft manufacture you will need to do your own testing and certification.
Advantages
• Homogeneous surface of a consistently high quality
• Strong, excellent bending strength
• Light and decorative
• Easy machining and surface treatment•taint and odour-free
Specialty Veneered Plywood
We are able to supply special veneered plywoods, with teak, mahogany (sapelli), birch and many other face veneers on one side. Most Specialty plywoods are available on 4 & 6mm Mourikis Gaboon plywood at a reasonable price. Plan well in advance as it comes from Greece, if not in stock. It can take up to three months to arrive.
Sapelli (Mahogany)
Sapelli Marine is a high quality plywood produced with Gaboon core and outer veneers of tropical hardwood Sapelli, specially manufactured to provide durability and longevity. Its physical characteristics are very stable and can withstand exposure to severe weather conditions for prolonged periods of time. It is suitable for both external and interior use and meets BS 1088:2003 and EN 13986 requirements. It is type approved by Lloyds Register. This plywood exhibits those beautiful mahogany grain red and brown colours. Available is rotary and crosscut with the grain appearance quite different.
Teak and Ash Veneered plywood
Teak and Ash Veneer applied Mourikis Marine Plywood makes an ideal replacement for Traditional Yacht decking. These panels are available in 2500mm x 1220mm, using 60mm teak and 6mm ash wide planks. The outer face veneer is 1-2mm thick, glued with an A-Bond glue.
Teak Veneer
Teak Veneer is applied to Mourikis marine plywood. These sheets are available in 2500mm x 1220mm, using teak veneer on one or both sides depending on the customers' requirement. This is manufactured with gaboon marine plywood core. The outer face veneer is 1-2mm thick, glued with an A-Bond glue.
