Actually, this boat was in the water from the first launch until about 5
years ago when it started the refinishing...(I think 354 years in the water
is a good testament) I just bought it a few months ago and haven't gotten
it into the water yet, but did put a garden hose into it last weekend to see
if I would have reason to worry when I re-launch her this summer... Well
lets just say I am planning on extra bilge pumps... She is showing a few
leaks!!!

Hoping she swells up fast!!!


"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
Thank you; that's interesting. And the plywood bottom survived after all
these years. I now have more respect for plywood as a boat building
material.

Intuition tells me the hull wasn't sheathed in glass/epoxy ...or was it ?

Also, I imagine a boat its size remained in the water during the boating
season instead of being "trailered".

I've read a lot about the need to keep a plywood boat out of the water, as
much as possible, in order to expect any longevity.

Maybe this boat is an aberration but I hope not. I'm
considering to build a composite plywood hull and will keep docked it in
salt water for six months out of the year.

I was told this wouldn't work. I was told to put it in at the beginning
of
the day and take it out at the end.

I'm starting to feel a little more confident in plywood composite hulls.

In the book Devlin's Boat Building, Sam Devlin states that boats over 90'
have been built using these methods.

Brian


--
http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass -- My 22' Tolman Skiff project
http://www.advantagecomposites.com/catalog -- Discounted System Three
Resins products


..
"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
In regard to plywood/composite construction, have any large boats ever
been
built using this method?

I'm thinking about "large" to mean any large pleasure or commercial boats

As an example, does the Navy have any composite boats in its fleet?

Any commercial fisherman on a composite boat?

Are there any "composite constructed" Head Boats out there?

Composite construction might save time and money but you need to consider
longevity too ? Correct?

I have been told a real boat deserves to be kept in the water; however,
also
been told plywood (composite) needs to be kept out of the water as much
as
possible !

So ....it's difficult getting an answer in regard to composite
contstruction.

Anybody have any knowledge of these type boats/construction that have been
in service for more than a couple years?

"Brian D" wrote in message
news:y_rpc.54753$xw3.3275430@attbi_s04...
In the book Devlin's Boat Building, Sam Devlin states that boats over 90'
have been built using these methods.

Brian

When I think of Plywood composite boats I think of plywood as the core
material for a fiberglass lay up. Plywood is stronger than most cores and
this strength is probably use in the structure of the boat so it is
important that it remain dry an rot free. Not easy things to do over a long
period of time. As long as it retains its structural integrity you can dry
out cores by drilling holes ever few inches and vacuum bagging the hull
until is stops loosing weight. The hot summer sun will help.

As a core material plywood is a pretty good one it is inexpensive, strong,
reasonably easy to work and not subject to catastrophic failure that plagues
some other core materials when they encounter slamming loads.

Even better is veneer that can be treated with a borate solution to rot
proof it and laid up with epoxy to water proof it for a lighter, stronger
more expensive and more durable core.

Gordon

Is there a source(s) I can go to to learn how to treat a veneer with a
borate solution?

"Gordon Couger" wrote in message news:yMNpc.31057$bS1.19364@okepread02...
"Brian D" wrote in message
news:y_rpc.54753$xw3.3275430@attbi_s04...
In the book Devlin's Boat Building, Sam Devlin states that boats over 90'
have been built using these methods.

Brian

When I think of Plywood composite boats I think of plywood as the core
material for a fiberglass lay up. Plywood is stronger than most cores and
this strength is probably use in the structure of the boat so it is
important that it remain dry an rot free. Not easy things to do over a long
period of time.

Good thinking: Devlin designs plywood boats glued together with epoxy
and glass. Plywood cored boats with epoxy/glass skins are very
different. It is correct that in small boats, we use the properties of
the core. It is an hybrid material, between plywood and sandwich.
About large ones: once you get to 25-28', a foam core is a better
choice. Lighter, stronger, no risk of rot.
That is why se stop using plywood in that size range.

Jacques from bateau.com

Lighter, stronger, no risk of rot.
That is why se stop using plywood in that size range.

jacques, boats with balsa cored decks virtually ALL become squishy soft over
time. boats with plywood cored decks almost never do, and those that do, do so
only in small areas. plywood cored decks are almost as long-lived as solid
fiberglass decks, and weigh less.

Have heard repeatedly from highly experienced, long term naval architects that
plywood hulls covered inside/outside and between plywood sheets are stronger
pound for pound than most any other material out there. About the only thing
that beats ply is damned expensive composites.

Very few plywood boats out there, though. People think they are wood and
therefore won't build they from scratch and won't buy used ones.

JAXAshby wrote:
jacques, boats with balsa cored decks virtually ALL become squishy soft over
time.

This is as true as anything else Jax posts.


Have heard repeatedly from highly experienced, long term naval architects that
plywood hulls covered inside/outside and between plywood sheets are stronger
pound for pound than most any other material out there.

That must explain why all the America's Cup boats are built from plywood.


Very few plywood boats out there, though. People think they are wood and
therefore won't build they from scratch and won't buy used ones.

Yep plywood boats are so rare that they are really a tremendous novelty.
I bet that nobody here knows as much about building boats from plywood
as *you* do, Jax!

DSK

The Thunderbird sailboat was designed in the 1950's and still
has a strong class going in the Us Pacific Northwest. There
are still many plywood Thunderbirds out there. These boats live
in the water year round.


"JAGJR" wrote in message
...
In regard to plywood/composite construction, have any large boats ever
been
built using this method?