There is ZERO quality control in so-called 'lauan' underlayment. In its intended
use, as underlayment for your kitchen lino, it's expected to be flat and to
tolerate moderate compressive loads, nothing more. The only thing you can be
confident of is that it's 4' x 8' x 1/4". It's only flat if it's nailed to
something and its water resistance is frequently zilch. The species used varies
from lift to lift. That's why it costs $8/sheet.
Its use in boats should be limited to:
*patterns
*Cradle boats which are to be painted
*Small boats which will only be used in knee-deep water in gentle conditions.
*Boats used in the third world, where life is cheap ;-) .

Jim

"William R. Watt" wrote:

sorry but the info below is incorrect. lauan underlayment is 1/5" thick (I
think that's 5.2 mm). it has a thick inner ply of rough wood that is
almost rods (sort of looks like fibreglass roving), and two thin face plys
one of which is smooth of light colour and the other rougher, full of worm
holes, and a reddish colour. there is a 1/8" thick lauan plywood called
"doorskin" because it's used to make hollow doors. it is not exterior
grade. I've used both plywoods in my small cheap boats. photos of the
Dogskiff and Loonie show boats made of lauan underlayment plywood , and
photos of the folding cabin show lauan doorskin plywood. neither is a
"marine" plywood but that didn't stop me from using them or from enjoying
the low cost boats made from them.

Dan ) writes:
I've never done it, so that may disqualify my thoughts on the matter
instantly but....

1/8 Luan is designed for use under soft flooring material, to level out
any imperfections in the sub-floor. That implies two things, 1) it has a
relatively high compressive strength, and 2) for short distances (1-3
inches) the tensile strength of the skinning material is pretty good.

I would think that coated on both sides with epoxy or polyester resin (
and gelcoat if poly) the material would be fine for small, one or two
person boats, less that 10-11 foot. Coated with good fiberglass, even
better.





jotis wrote:

Do you think it is possible to build an 8-foot skiff or dinghy using 1/8"
luan?

Joseph



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