Replace cockpit seating with plywood?

[Boatwayupnorth]

I have to replace my cockpit seating. I don't know what wood the current strips are made off. Anyway, I can't get anything decent locally besides some low-grade "teak" for a prohibitive price.
Obviously the seating is exposed to all kinds of weather, all year round, has to survive my big bad butt as well as getting stepped on and whatnot.
I thought of cutting new strips from meranti-plywood, give them a liberal amount of epoxy coatings and some layers of varnish with UV-protection.
Has anybody done something like that? How does it keep up with the elements?
Grateful for all opinions and experiences!
Walter

[Snowpetrel]

It would work, but almost any solid wood would be better, and last longer even if untreated, unless you are pretty good at revarnishing the plywood strips regularly.

Strength is another issue, plywood is weaker than solid wood in that type of application.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[barnakiel]

Our cockpit locker 'seats' in the cockpit are varnished plywood. Edges sealed with glued on strips. No problem. Slippery when wet.

b.

[Boatwayupnorth]

Apologies for the late response, I was on a business trip!
Thank you both for your input!
Barnakiel, I was wondering: How thick is your plywood?
Walter

[Tortuga's Lie]

Have you looked into something like Ipe? It would withstand the weather and turn a nice gray but it may not hold a finish too good in the marine environment because of the micro-checks that will develop opening up the grain a bit. Very dense, very durable and used on exterior decks quite a bit here in the States.
Ipe | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwoods)

[nigel1]

Might be worth taking a look at Iroko if available in Norway.
Found an article on wood for marine use
Choosing Wood for Marine Applications | ROSS LAIRD

[TeddyDiver]

You are in Norway so the easiest options would be siberian larch or aspen. Larch being very resistant against the elements but needs to cleaned of the sticky surface resins. Asp is much easier to work with, comfortable to your delicate butt and if treated with oil quite resistant in weather too. Of the more exotic species Iroko or Meranti might be available locally..

BR Teddy

[Boatwayupnorth]

No Ipe, no Iroko. As a matter of fact, nothing but pine and spruce available locally.
Teddy: Are you still in Finnmark? Do you know of a supplier who could send a minor batch of asp to Tromsø?
Still waiting for you to visit the Paris of the North, by the way
Walter

[Terra Nova]

Definitely do NOT use plywood strips. If your supplier cannot get boat building lumber, find someone else.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Boatwayupnorth

No Ipe, no Iroko. As a matter of fact, nothing but pine and spruce available locally.
Teddy: Are you still in Finnmark? Do you know of a supplier who could send a minor batch of asp to Tromsø?
Still waiting for you to visit the Paris of the North, by the way
Walter

I'm still around, mostly in Båtsfjord lately. Just now on foreldreferie by the border in Tanadalen where I live. We were thinking about a tour to Tromsø and Lofoten next year so maybe then
Dunno for sure but you could ask from Materialhandelen Båtsfjord. Phone to Jan 97706855, he's the boss and can find about anything related to wood and construction. One more possibility is "malm furu" thou I think asp is still better. If he can't find it I can find it from Finland.

BR Teddy

[Boatwayupnorth]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

I'm still around, mostly in Båtsfjord lately. Just now on foreldreferie by the border in Tanadalen where I live. We were thinking about a tour to Tromsø and Lofoten next year so maybe then
Dunno for sure but you could ask from Materialhandelen Båtsfjord. Phone to Jan 97706855, he's the boss and can find about anything related to wood and construction. One more possibility is "malm furu" thou I think asp is still better. If he can't find it I can find it from Finland.

BR Teddy

Success! I found aspen locally after all! It's sold as "badstuepanel". Thank you for your input! Teddy: Thank you for the phone number of Jan! Good to have for the future.
I will be in Tana bru from September 12 - 16. If you are in the vicinity, maybe we can meet up?
Walter

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by Boatwayupnorth

Success! I found aspen locally after all! It's sold as "badstuepanel". Thank you for your input! Teddy: Thank you for the phone number of Jan! Good to have for the future.
I will be in Tana bru from September 12 - 16. If you are in the vicinity, maybe we can meet up?
Walter

Of course, I make a note on my calender

Teddy