JEM Watercraft

Hello all

Sorry by advance if my questions sound stupid... I am very new at boatbuilding !...

Trapper canoe is made with 4 mm ply and fiberglass clothe. Is it a possible option to use thicker plywood (6 mm) and only fiber tape inside and outside, as it is done on DK canoe ?
If so, what option would provide the lightest boat ?

Thanks !
Bruno
(Dijon, France)

Guest wrote:Hello all

Sorry by advance if my questions sound stupid... I am very new at boatbuilding !...

Trapper canoe is made with 4 mm ply and fiberglass clothe. Is it a possible option to use thicker plywood (6 mm) and only fiber tape inside and outside, as it is done on DK canoe ?
If so, what option would provide the lightest boat ?

Thanks !
Bruno
(Dijon, France)

G'day Bruno and welcome aboard mate.

4mm Okoume or Gaboon (BS1088) marine ply would work fine with a stitch and tape build. and also be the lightest in weight.

You will need to tape both inside and out on every seam to achieve optimum strength.

You'll have to apply some force to the bottom panel to make the twist using 6mm. If you use marine grade plywood, you *should* be able to do it. If you use cheap plywood that is a hardwood, you might be in for trouble.

You could just apply fiberglass tape on the seams, inside and out the hull.

Using 4mm ply and fiberglass cloth will provide the lightest option. Download the Bill of Materials for more info on that.

I was the "guest". Mick and Matt, thanks for your answers.