I have to replace the piece of 1/2" plywood that was over one of my fuel tanks. It's ~8' x 3'. Is there anything better out there then marine plywood in this high tech world of ours?

Thanks

I would use what most of the new boat manufacturers use which is a plastic composite, it goes by a number of different names, but you can get from Boat US and it's called King Starboard.

There are a lot of different types of Marine Plywood as well. When I redid my transom we did it in Marine Mahogony Plywood. That way it will not soke up water like the otheres may. Good luck.

Jon

The starboard stuff is really expensive. If it is going to be covered by carpet or something go down to a plastics distributor and they will have something that will work for less money.

What about regular plywood and coat it with epoxy?

I used deckolight on my floor and it is expensive, about $230.00 a 4x8 sheet.It's a baltser core and glass skin on both sides.You must seal the edges. You can buy it at a fiberglass supplier.

I would go buy a sheet of 1/2" Luan. This plywood 100% voidless just like marine plywood. This sheet should cost about $16.00. Then coat the entire sheet with some form of epox, and it will last forever.

I just went through the same deal and I ended up using marine plywood. The starboard looks great but it's expensive and not available locally. Do not use "non marine" plywood as it will not have waterproof glue and it WILL delaminate. Epoxy coating can be a good option if you are ABSOLUTELY sure that water will never enter the structure through a ding, scratch, or screw hole. If it does the epoxy will not let the moisture escape and rot will begin even sooner.

On my engine cover I chose to use mahogany marine plywood with fiberglass on one side (the side exposed to the engine) and leave the other side unfinshed (the side with upholstery) to allow moisture to escape.