From what I can tell, areas of the luan have voids beneath the top
layer. Where these areas get exposed to water via a scratch in the
paint, the stuff gets saturated very easily. Areas where there are no
scratches in the paint seem to do ok. I abuse my boats but I expect
them to last. Anytime you beach your boat on an oyster bar you are
gonna get scratches. Having to apply a coat of paint more than once a
year is absurd.
In some areas, the voids seem to run in a linear pattern and then the
stuff is hopeless and the only solution is glass.

I am no expert, but my observation is based on the boats I've built from
luan, and other woods. Luan is great stuff to build a small boat with.

wrote:
From what I can tell, areas of the luan have voids beneath the top
layer. Where these areas get exposed to water via a scratch in the
paint, the stuff gets saturated very easily. Areas where there are no
scratches in the paint seem to do ok. I abuse my boats but I expect
them to last. Anytime you beach your boat on an oyster bar you are
gonna get scratches. Having to apply a coat of paint more than once a
year is absurd.
In some areas, the voids seem to run in a linear pattern and then the
stuff is hopeless and the only solution is glass.

There ARE voids. It isn't spec'ed as no-void. Typically they are very
small. Pretty often, they can be filled with (waterproof) glue or a
combination of glue and sawdust, or paint even. Given the proper level of
care, a luan boat can last for years... many years. If the use (or abuse)
of the boat dictates alternative materials, don't be a cheapskate. Buy
better plywood. Sheesh.

Ed

They were my first boat projects and I had no idea how bad the stuff
was. Most of the voids are invisible until you suddenly find a weak
spot. I built a nesting dinghy from 1/4' marine ply and am very happy
with it.

) writes:
They were my first boat projects and I had no idea how bad the stuff
was. Most of the voids are invisible until you suddenly find a weak
spot. I built a nesting dinghy from 1/4' marine ply and am very happy
with it.


You can actually find the voids in lauan underlayment by shining a strong
light on it. I ran a small lamp with a metal shade which concentrated
the light over it. The voids show up as red streaks.

I can't find lauan underlayment locally any more. They sell meranti, which
is better quality with no surface checks or edge voids, or virola
which is light and flexible but more suceptable to rot.

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I can't find lauan underlayment locally any more. They sell meranti,
which
is better quality with no surface checks or edge voids,

Meranti and lauan are two different names for the same wood. The
former if it comes from Malaysia and the latter if it comes from the
Philippines.

Mike


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