Colorado wooden boatbuilders- a shout out

[Wayne Grabow]

Peter, All I said was that she seemed incredibly nice, as in nice person. I knew that she was married with a small child. But she went way past the minimums of her job; she was friendly, enthusiastic, polite, and appreciative. There aren't enough people like that. You really want to help the good people, and I am glad that you were able.

I hope to order plywood about May. Haven't figured how many sheets but probably about 8-10 of 6mm thickness. I was thinking meranti from a price standpoint, but whatever looks attractive is okay. I have an 18' utility trailer which can handle a good load of plywood.

[nobrows1212]

Wayne- you are a good Joe-- just kidding about the Hoss stuff. She and her hubby are a very nice couple, and they actually have a pretty impressive command of a small crew, with fairly complex equipment.

Call on the ply ordering when timing looks nearer. My need is for small stuff-- enclosing/ bulkheading a pair of open thwarts for bouyancy, stuff like that-- not a new boat-- so I would gladly defer to you/others on meranti, sapele, or other ply type. My beauties are in paint, except for the trim in varnished hardwoods. Would delight in seeing your boatworks, projects etc. or vice versa------ I'm off to FL for a good sail early March -- Cal 39 to Bimini, Straits of FL oooooooooooooooh..... yeah! Peter

[switters]

I'm in for 8 sheets, and if it gets delivered to Denver I can transport it to the Denver area and parts north to Fort Collins. Anyone have someone to order from in mind? I know a guy in Wyo that might be interested also.

Nobrows1212 how soon are thinking of doing this? I'm finishing up a 12' skiff right now and don't need any ply for a month or two.

moving very slowly obviously.

[nobrows1212]

switters and Wayne-- did I give # 303--three 29-9916? I'm flexible as long as we order by about April 15... Last time I ordered from Florida Panel? World Panel? Gotta check, but they are an internet biggie and the goods were excellent; all arrived in great shape, sheathed, banded, and on a thin pallet. will wait to hear. Thanks! Peter

[switters]

World panel, I looked them up, sounds good depending on shipping costs. I'm not in a huge hurry to order but the first of April will work well for me. Where does the shipment get delivered, I've never done this sort of thing before?

Cheers,

[nobrows1212]

switters-- they deliver to any street address, residential or commercial (not P.O. Boxes)-- and whether they ship 4 sheets or 20, the trucking charge is the same-- due to the 4 x 8 pallet size. Last time, it was about $175 for the trucking. If we pool the order, we split the truck fee (seems fair to do total ship cost divided by the number of us ordering, rather than pro-rated based on number of sheets per person, etc.). Like I said, I have no vehicle to haul 4 x 8 sheets, so I am hoping to get delivery at my house in central Denver. Either that, or have one of my new ordering buds help me out. Thanks, Peter

[Wayne Grabow]

I have been pricing some plywood sources. Appears that the reasonable choices are meranti (luan) and okoume (gaboon); everything else is over $100 per sheet. (By the way, I can buy DF marine here in Colo. Springs; 1/2" was $90 per sheet.) The 6mm meranti can be had for about $35-40 per sheet; the okoume is about $50-70 per sheet. The best wood prices I have found so far are from Noah's (NY) and Homestead in Ohio.

Noah's: 6mm meranti @ $41 per sheet, 10% disc 10+ sheets
6mm okoume @ $55 per sheet, same discount
6 mm Joubert okoume @ $75.81 per sheet, same discount

Homestead: 6mm Hydrotek meranti @ $39 per sheet, 10% disc 10+ sheets, 15% for 20+ sheets
6mm Joubert okoume @ $77 per sheet, similar disc.

Other sources to consider are World Panel in FL (no prices yet) and Allied Veneer in LA. I haven't priced shipping yet; wanted everyone to get a second look at what is involved before proceeding further.

I ordered last time from Noah's; got 4mm, 6mm and 9mm meranti which was of high quality. I still have some pieces on hand and they still look good. I don't remember the shipping charge; thus, it couldn't have been all that much. I have never used okoume; understand that it is light and bendable but rots easy.

I plan to buy 11-12 sheets. Much of it will be covered with a second layer of solid wood. Also, as much as the sun eats up finishes here in Colo., I plan to paint most of the hull. Thus, I don't need the fanciest plywood.

[nobrows1212]

wayne- pls call me at three oh three 3- two- 9-9916. World Panel charged about $150 for shipment by truck, for 5 sheets of 6mm. That's why I'm trying to get a group purchase, aside from any discounts on volume. It looks like I will be getting only 2 sheets of 6mm, probably meranti and preferably with the bs 1088 certification, which supposedly assures against any voids. Cheers! Peter

[switters]

Bad news from my end, the tax man has smacked me down for a few grand and I will not be able to order the sheets I needed. I will have to put my order on hold for several months.

my apologies for backing out on this.

[nobrows1212]

switters- sorry to hear it.....thanks for the info Peter

[watsok]

Howdy all,

Just joined. I had been contimplating building a airplane but it is looking more like it is boat time. I have the book to build a catboat. So no I need to source plywood. I do not know if anyone has looked at the hobby lumber store in Longmont CO for their prices or not. If so please let me know.

If anyone is availabe to talk shop on stich and glue or any other plywood tehnique I would like to get together. As you can see I am in Ft Collins, CO.

Ken

[Wayne Grabow]

I don't know anything about a hobby lumber store in Longmont; please check it out and let us know. C&O Lumber in Colo. Springs has fir marine ply. I bought a sheet of 1/2" fir (6 ply) for the motor well at C&O. Today I received 12 sheets of 6mm 5-ply okoume from Noah's out of Toronto. The sheets are beautiful; perfect exterior veneers front and back. The exterior veneers are slightly thinner than the inner plys. The plywood comes from China. Noah's also stocks Joubert plywood, but their sales rep said that the Chinese ply was actually better looking as well as being cheaper. The price was $49.50 per sheet, and packing and shipping added another $22 per sheet. I had good service from Noah's on a previous boat; so I had some confidence in dealing with them. My next choices would have been Allied Veneer out of Los Angeles, CA, or Homestead out of Sandusky Ohio. They both have decent prices (about $70 per 6mm sheet) on Joubert (French) plywood and would probably have lower shipping charges.

I did one simple stitch & glue with molds; otherwise I design and build developable plywood with framing and am beginning the process of sheathing an 18 ' launch. I will be in Ft. Collins the last weekend of this month. If you come this way (Monument) I'd be happy to show you what I am doing.

Wayne