Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Wood thickness for interior

Posted by Kayaken on 12/20/17 - 8:13 AM
#1

To all:

I think I have the plans ready to go and ready to buy the wood for the interior mahogany rebuild. I'm not sure of the thickness of each piece as the plans only provide dimensions for height and length. Can someone help confirm my assumption that all wood pieces are 3/4" thick except the seats which are 1 1/4" thick which is required to support the weight?

Also, is the hatch 3/4" as well?

Thanks! Looking forward to buying the wood this week and getting started.

Ken

Posted by butchdavis on 12/20/17 - 4:45 PM
#2

I don't know, but seem to remember that 5/4 is commonly used. The plans should show the dimensions.

Posted by Joe Kriz on 12/20/17 - 5:31 PM
#3

Which plans are you referring too?

http://www.whalercentral.com/download...?cat_id=13

Posted by butchdavis on 12/21/17 - 5:16 AM
#4

Joe - Thanks for the reference to the downloads. I looked over the 13 Sport drawings from Tom C Clark and was surprised that several thicknesses of lumber are specified.

Posted by Kayaken on 12/21/17 - 5:58 AM
#5

Hi Joe,

I was going to use the 13' whaler sport drawings on your link for my Super Sport interior. My assumption is that the main difference is the width of the boat may be a little wider. Please correct my assumption if that is off base. Looking at the drawings, I can see that the seats refer to 1", but the side stringers (not sure what they are called) and console do not call out a thickness dimension.

Ken

Posted by max366 on 12/21/17 - 7:08 AM
#6

I've done four 13 ft Sports, 1972, 1978, 1981, and 1988 and the side pieces were all made of the same mahogany as the seats, 5/4 thickness. The anchor hatch is 3/4" thick plywood and I use mahogany edge tape to finish off all edges. Comes out great. BTW, you can get a 2ft x 4ft 3/4" mahogany plywood piece sent to your home from Home Depot for a good price and the quality is pretty good.

Posted by butchdavis on 12/22/17 - 7:34 AM
#7

I believe the lumber on our 1981 Sport 13 is original. Plywood was not used anywhere. There is a reason for that, IMO. Plywood is not as good as solid wood for exterior use in a marine environment. Plywood used out doors will delaminate at some point in it's life even when protected by solid edging. Glue will eventually fail. Even the best Dutch marine plywood will eventually fail to hold up. Solid mahogany costs much more but if your budget can stand it you should consider it.

Posted by max366 on 12/22/17 - 9:17 AM
#8

All of the Whalers I've done, 2 of which had all original interiors, had plywood anchor hatches. I suspect it's due to the recess for the hatch being 3/4" deep so that the use of the thicker 5/4 solid lumber would result in it a raised piece. The 3/4" marine grade plywood is stronger than 3/4" solid lumber (less deflection) and since it's a seat, Whaler seems to have opted for the use of plywood for the hatch. BTW, the plywood hatch on the 1981, which was original according to the first owner, looked OK, with just a bit of degradation on 2 of its corners. The hatch did not have the edging and last time the prior owner finished it was over 10 yrs ago, so not bad for a 36 yr old piece of plywood!

Posted by butchdavis on 12/22/17 - 4:52 PM
#9

Agree that plywood can have a long life. I've seen an anchor hatch cover from an aftermarket supplier made up from solid strips about the width of wood flooring backed by two transverse pieces, one forward of the cover about three inches from the edge and one aft also about three inches from the edge. If all that is required for the hatch is a few square feet the cost may be a toss up. It was available in four or five linear planks width. I prefer the five plank version as the finger hole is located in the center rear of the middle plank.

Posted by zigzagwc on 10/24/23 - 7:57 PM
#10

I am looking at a 1987 Super Sport and was wondering about the wood in a few areas. 1st, the forward locker, which is delaminating and made of plywood with a "mahogany?" veneer. 2nd is the top of the dash, which also appears to have a small area of what looks to be delimitation. Is this also made from veneered plywood or should it be solid mahogany?

Thanks for the help

Edited by Joe Kriz on 10/25/23 - 1:51 PM