I made new hatch boards for my M17 from 12mm (~1/2") Baltic birch ply. This is readily available at most wood suppliers as it is used for all manner of cabinet-making work. Often available in 5 ft. square pieces as well as 4x8 ft. sheets. It is much lighter color than teak, which I happen to like, YMMV. It is not "marine" wood so you'll want to seal it well. I used CPES on all the edges, which are the most vulnerable part. Then epoxy to seal all surfaces, and I glassed the outside face (partly for durability, partly to reduce possible warping). Then marine varnish to protect the epoxy from UV. I didn't use cleat strips, I just ripped the relevant edges of the pieces at a down-sloping angle (as seen in cross-section, when installed). So they overlap shingle-style at bottom/middle and middle/top. Kinda/like/this, but more vertical... :-) It has been in windy & rainy conditions when stored, moored, and towed and no water comes in. Cleaner simpler lighter than cleat strips, which unless you rip the top edges at a similar angle catch water there anyway. I made a cardboard template first, then cut plywood based on that in one big piece, then a bit of trimming for final fit, then ripped into three boards with blade at angle. Measure three times, cut once! cheers, John On 1/27/21 10:16 AM, Bob Eeg wrote:
Oceanside.....spend freeway time to drive to Strata Lumber in Santa Ana, CA. Try to buy a short sheet of 1/2 inch good one side Teak Plywood. If they don’t have a short sheet and you have to buy a full sheet bring a Makita battery powered skill saw and cut the plywood in 3s. Also buy a small piece if half inch teak hardwood to Rip for cleat stock to attach to the drops for water protection. Teak ply isn’t what it used to be (cheap glue?) so take the time to seal the edges with Epoxy. Otherwise it will delaminate like a deck of cards from moisture. Bob
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On Jan 27, 2021, at 9:46 AM, Jim Sadler <jimsadler@jascopacific.com> wrote:
Oceanside Ca.
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com> On Behalf Of Dave Scobie Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 9:11 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: Marine plywood
Jim.
Where are you located?
:: Dave Scobie :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com :: former owner M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: former owner M15 #288 SCRED - m15namedscred.wordpress.com <<-- new site!
On Wed, Jan 27, 2021, 8:31 AM Jim Sadler <jimsadler@jascopacific.com> wrote:
Thanks skipper
Where can you find the teak plywood? Capt Jim
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com