Starboard, marine plywood or ?

[VeroWing]

I've done several with marine plywood and in a few years they started showing water intrusion on bottoms. On my last one (22 Seafarer) I used this pfc board, and it was cheap, weatherproof, easy to work with, and lasted years until I sold boat, and I'm confident it still is. The cabin bulkhead is not a structural wall, just a divider between cabin and helm.

Veranda 1/2in. x 48 in. x 8 ft. White Reversible PVC Sheet H120AWS6 - The Home Depot

Protect your hard surface against dents and weather damage by choosing this Veranda HP 1/ White PVC Trim.

www.homedepot.com

 

[SeanR]

Forget that laminate crap
Replace it with Starboard and be done with it.

There’s a footrest that bolts to it under the helm. Will that pull through the starboard if to much pressure is put on it? I’d rather use starboard for obvious reasons just don’t want the screws/bolts to pull out of it. Haven’t had much experience with it besides making a few hatch covers on the transom

 

[VeroWing]

There’s a footrest that bolts to it under the helm. Will that pull through the starboard if to much pressure is put on it? I’d rather use starboard for obvious reasons just don’t want the screws/bolts to pull out of it. Haven’t had much experience with it besides making a few hatch covers on the transom

I returned footrest to same location and never had problem with it, but it is a footrest and not a step. If you use "starboard" it is even stronger.

 

[SeanR]

I returned footrest to same location and never had problem with it, but it is a footrest and not a step. If you use "starboard" it is even stronger.

I've done several with marine plywood and in a few years they started showing water intrusion on bottoms. On my last one (22 Seafarer) I used this pfc board, and it was cheap, weatherproof, easy to work with, and lasted years until I sold boat, and I'm confident it still is. The cabin bulkhead is not a structural wall, just a divider between cabin and helm.

Veranda 1/2in. x 48 in. x 8 ft. White Reversible PVC Sheet H120AWS6 - The Home Depot

Protect your hard surface against dents and weather damage by choosing this Veranda HP 1/ White PVC Trim.

www.homedepot.com

Thank you very much for all the suggestions. With all the options, definitely not putting plywood back just to have it rot again. Going to check out the pvc board. For sure cheaper than starboard.

 

[leeccoll]

I would be uncomfortable in anything less than 3/4" with either Starboard or plywood. I just used 1/2" Starboard for a updated gauge panel, it's a small piece and adequate for that installation. The bulkheads were designed for 3/4" material thickness.

I ended up using plywood, epoxing edges then painting as I wanted to color to match the trim on my Grady.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[SeanR]

I would be uncomfortable in anything less than 3/4" with either Starboard or plywood. I just used 1/2" Starboard for a updated gauge panel, it's a small piece and adequate for that installation. The bulkheads were designed for 3/4" material thickness.

I ended up using plywood, epoxing edges then painting as I wanted to color to match the trim on my Grady.

Good luck and keep us posted!

View attachment 11161

That came out very nice! Again, appreciate the help very much. My first boat, still have a lot to learn. I’ll keep you posted!

 

[UCPA111]

What kind of laminate did you use? My 94 gulfstream has some smooth white laminate but can’t seem to find Where to buy a sheet of it. Like a lot of other people the plywood all rotted out.
Thanks for any advice

I found what I wanted at home depot. I did NOT want the look of starboard. It also can warp with heat/etc. I wanted some character. And, with what I did to the plywood prior to covering I don't see how it won't last.

 

[TomGrady]

I would be uncomfortable in anything less than 3/4" with either Starboard or plywood. I just used 1/2" Starboard for a updated gauge panel, it's a small piece and adequate for that installation. The bulkheads were designed for 3/4" material thickness.

I ended up using plywood, epoxing edges then painting as I wanted to color to match the trim on my Grady.

Good luck and keep us posted!

View attachment 11161

 

[TomGrady]

This looks awesome! I need to do the same for my 96’ Seafarer.

Do you have any advice for how to trace the piece onto new ply or pvc, and what kind of saw you used? Thanks

 

[leeccoll]

This looks awesome! I need to do the same for my 96’ Seafarer.

Do you have any advice for how to trace the piece onto new ply or pvc, and what kind of saw you used? Thanks

Sure,

Once you remove the existing bulkheads, use them both as templates to cut the new material. I used a jigsaw to cut out my new bulkheads. If you choose plywood you want to epoxy the edges to help mitigate water intrusion (Grady never did that which is why so many have issues).

Place the old bulkheads over the new and drill out hole locations makes the install easy.

There is also marine welt piping around my original bulkheads, not sure on your year's hull but I only used a small section of it on the port side where the carpeting is to finish it off so to speak.

Amazon.com

 

[SkunkBoat]

What kind of laminate did you use? My 94 gulfstream has some smooth white laminate but can’t seem to find Where to buy a sheet of it. Like a lot of other people the plywood all rotted out.
Thanks for any advice

Home Depot..Formica sheet

I'd probably try 1/2" PVC sheet instead of starboard for that.

 

[Fishtales]

New Louvered Cabin/Console Doors - for sale - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

The Parts Forum - New Louvered Cabin/Console Doors - for sale - For those who may be interested, I custom fabricate louvered cabin or console doors using Teak and "Starboard" material. I have 30+ years of woodworking experience and have prevously made many doors for my friends and customers on...

www.thehulltruth.com

If you want someone to make doors and panels....

 

[SeanR]

Just wanted to share some pictures... went with the 3/4 starboard, traced all the panels and cut with a Jig saw. Still need to do the trim and put the door back in but so far it looks great and is very sturdy. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions

 

[Lite Tackle]

Good craftsmanship. It’s always satisfying when one’s hard work pays off.

 

[leeccoll]

Looks great Sean, keep it up!!

 

[Fishtales]

yes, looks very nice. a little work on your part likely saved big $.

 

[freddy063]

I would use a good marine grade ply. I use starboard on a few thing and it tough stuff, but ending up cracking and splitting from the screw holes. But it might work great in that fabrication,as long as you don't pound on your boat offshore. post some pictures , be nice to see what you do.

 

[leeccoll]

freddy063,

That is interesting, thanks for bringing it up. The bulkheads are not attached to the structural integrity of the hull, so different applications can apply. I used marine grade plywood/epoxy on edges on my replacement, but I will not have water in contact with the bulkheads very often, so I don't need to worry about them rotting out. I can appreciate those who will have a lot of water/moisture come in to play with the bulkheads to use starboard/pvc or other types of materials that won't rot. Then there is the stress factor you brought up. Wood has a great capacity to flex vertically and horizontally, plastic polymer not so much.

I would guess you have done a lot of vertical shear pounding to have your starboard split.

Lee

PS-UMO Orono graduate, lived summers in Portland painting houses while in school.

 

[SeanR]

Hope everyone’s season is going well so far. It been a little while but I wanted to show you guys some photos now that it’s “done”. For now atleast. Removed all the old trim and made new ones out of mahogany. Came out pretty nice.

 

[cbartle60]

I ran out of $...had to make some engine repairs but was able to rebuild my cabin door and build a tackle station out of starboard. For now I’m just planning to paint the bulkhead until this winter when I replace with the 3/4” starboard.