What about birch?

Hank · Post by **Hank** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:40 pm

Hi -

I was wandering about my local lumber emporium seeing what kind of plywood I could transmogrify into a canoe. This particular place had 3 (!) kinds of plywood: fir, birch, and luan (lauan?). I don't think I'll build a boat out of pine, but what about birch? It's a bit more expensive than the luan, but no where near the okoume prices I've seen quoted.

- Hank

Post by **jem** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:50 pm

it has a tendency to check (get small cracks) as plywood. I think it's a bit heavier too but I'd have to research to be sure.

dangermouse01 · Post by **dangermouse01** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:22 pm

I'll go and say it before Jack or Chuck.

For what its worth, the Indians (American) made canoes out of the bark.

Never heard of anybody using birch plywood for a boat, doesn't mean it cant be done. Never seen birch plywood on any of the sites that sell boat building panels.

DM

JC · Post by JC » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:05 pm

Well did you use the Birch and how did it workout?
I'm thining of using it.

jc

Hank · Post by **Hank** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:58 am

In my slow motion manner I am working toward a Merrimac. I searched around where I live and found a local supplier for okoume plywood and went with that. So, I have no idea how it would work. Based on JEM's comment above, I would guess that if the panels didn't have a lot of twist and you built a boat that wasn't too subject oil-canning, it would probably work.

- Hank

zeb · Post by **zeb** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:18 am

John uses birch ply on His canoes at www.birchcanoes.com

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:59 am

While it's OK with me no matter what a person uses. I'll remain with the Okoume because it works so well. Besides, after I worked a few months to learn how to spell it, I HAVE to stick with it now.

LEE SCHNEIDERMANN · Post by **LEE SCHNEIDERMANN** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:28 pm

The most important thing seems to be the equality of the plies. If all you're buying is two 1/64th" veneers, sandwiching one 7/32nd " center, then you'll probably be disappointed in the results.

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:48 pm

The most important thing seems to be the equality of the plies. If all you're buying is two 1/64th" veneers, sandwiching one 7/32nd " center, then you'll probably be disappointed in the results.

This is all I have used up till now, only my thickness was 1/8" overall and the results were OK.

3 genuine layers of ply stuck together with genuine marine grade glue would be better. I will only be using the good stuff from now on. Compared to the price of epoxy and glass, the ply is a fairly small investment and it is well worth spending that little extra on the wood IMHO.

The difference for me, in a 3 sheet boat in price of ply, is only about AUD $80.00. A three sheet boat, costs me around AUD$500. to build using premium epoxy and glass in total. I would much rather spend the extra $80.00 now and be confident my boat will last a lifetime and have a much easier build in the process., than try to save that $80.oo and struggle in the build.

It is much easier to work, has a prettier finish, will last longer and doesn't tend to bend up while in storage nearly as much as the cheap stuff.

Wimperdink · Post by **Wimperdink** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:55 pm

I've used it. Like jem said, the birch ply tends to check a little when its bent and twisted. If you intend to put glass on the outside, it should be just fine. If you don't put glass on all of it and just skin it with epoxy, your probably going to have problems with it later. The only other thing I can think of to tell you is that if you sand the wood at all it turns a really light color and very noticeable if you intend to finish it natural.

Just my two cents.