type of plywood question...

[bmack]

I am planning on building this boat...

http://www.heggeseth.com/duckboat.asp

but with a few variations...

would this 3/8" X 4' X 8' spruce, exterior plywood be sufficient for the hull and I will be using 1/4 for the deck...

any tips or info would be great I also do not want to spend to much on this boat or it might be cheaper to get a used Jon... I may also point out that this will be my first boat but I am very good with my hands and have all the necessary tools...

Thanks

Brandon

[Trevlyns]

Hi Brandon and welcome to the forum!

Exterior ply is perfectly adequate for the design in question. But 3/8 for the hull is a bit of an overkill (the plan calls for 1/2 inch which is fine - even for much bigger boats.)
Over the years, there has been so much written and discussed on the 'exterior versus marine ply' question. Just scroll down to the bottom of this page to “similar threads” for starters.
Just remember, anything with the word “marine” in it comes with a hefty price tag.
Nice boat and good luck - I'm sure you'll manage fine!!

[Bergalia]

Originally Posted by Trevlyns

... But 3/8 for the hull is a bit of an overkill (the plan calls for 1/2 inch which is fine - even for much bigger boats.)

Sorry to niggle here Trev, but I think you're getting slightly confused: 3/8th is smaller than 1/2inch (But only just). Looking at the plans I reckon 5/16inch would be adequate - unless Brandon intends to hold clog-dancing sessions on board. But as you say - exterior ply, well coated with paint or resin, should do fine.

And welcome from me to the forum Brandon.

[Trevlyns]

Absolutely right Bergy! That comes from being a metric head and replying to imperial posts at 5 in the morning! What punishment is to be inflicted kind squire?

[Bergalia]

Originally Posted by Trevlyns

Absolutely right Bergy! That comes from being a metric head and replying to imperial posts at 5 in the morning...

Nah, not really your fault. It's those damn Frenchies forcing metrication on the world...simply because they can't handle 'odd' numbers. I would have thought they'd embrace 'vulgar' fractions.....

[bmack]

Thanks guys... yeah I had figured the 1/2 inch was overkill but I was not looking for the 5/16 so they may have it... right now I am going around a finding the prices of all the materials to see what the total for the boat will be... so far it is looking much cheaper then an aluminum Jon unless I want to buy a really old battered and beaten one... and I actually like the boat I am going to build more because of its size it will be perfect for putting a blind on as well...

Brandon

[timgoz]

Aluminum Jon's in good shape go for approx. $400 around here.

What are your projected costs? An old rule of boatbuilding is to figure the costs as close as possible, Then Double Them!

With a smaller & simpler boat such as your intending to build, you should be able to estimate closer. Still add at least 50% to avoid future frustration.

Take care.

Tim

[bmack]

Well I am figuring about 59.24 in plywood for the hull... 5$ for wire and about 50$ in hardwood... then I just need to figure out how much the glass will cost and the epoxy which will probably cost most followed by the glass...

can anyone give me some rough estimates on the epoxy and how thick fiberglass I should use for taping the seams and the hull... also a rough estimate on that for a boat of this size...

Thanks

Brandon