@ColRay
Hi Col,
From my experience building kit boats, the 3-ply used for decks and superstructures is usually 1.5 mm (about 1/16”) or 2 mm, depending on the scale and the particular kit.
I wouldn’t say it needs to be full marine-grade plywood.
What’s more important is that it is good-quality, lightweight, straight, and has a nice even veneer with no voids between the layers.
Marine ply is excellent, of course, but for a model boat it can be overkill and sometimes harder to work with.
For visible deck and superstructure work, I’d look for aircraft/model plywood or good-quality birch 3-ply.
The important thing is that it stays flat and doesn’t delaminate when you are cutting, sanding, or gluing it.
Hope that helps, Col. 👍
Julian
Hi Col,
From my experience building kit boats, the 3-ply used for decks and superstructures is usually 1.5 mm (about 1/16”) or 2 mm, depending on the scale and the particular kit.
I wouldn’t say it needs to be full marine-grade plywood.
What’s more important is that it is good-quality, lightweight, straight, and has a nice even veneer with no voids between the layers.
Marine ply is excellent, of course, but for a model boat it can be overkill and sometimes harder to work with.
For visible deck and superstructure work, I’d look for aircraft/model plywood or good-quality birch 3-ply.
The important thing is that it stays flat and doesn’t delaminate when you are cutting, sanding, or gluing it.
Hope that helps, Col. 👍
Julian