> Hi All,

> Short Version: Does hellfire, brimstone, and destruction loom before me if
> I use baltic birch ply for my first boat? I realize that it'll be a few
> pounds heavier, but the wood's cheap, I'm epoxying/glassing the whole darn
> thing, and if it turns out, I won't be so adverse to making the next
> project out of the good stuff. I've already checked the archives, and
> didn't see any bad news.

> Long Version: I've been lurking for a month or so, and am about to start
> my first boat. So I wanted to lay out my ideas for a quick idiot check
> before I started cutting into plywood.

> I've been messing around in boats most of my life. Mostly canoes and
> jonboats, but the last couple of years I dabbled in sailboats and plastic
> kayaks, and have decided on building a Chesapeake LT 17 from plans. I'm
> going with the plans since I'm pretty handy with tools. Besides, with the
> plans, the wife doesn't get sticker shock from a $700 check in the book.
> It's much easier to sneak a hundred here and there over a couple of
> months.

> Since this is my first boat, I'm kind of averse to dropping $45/sheet for
> marine mahogany. The wood shop I found in Manchester, CT has some nice
> baltic birch sheets in the proper thickness that I'm planning on using.
> They're about a third the cost. I looked at the archives, and couldn't
> find any good reasons not to use them, other than weight. On the plus
> side, I think the birch will look sweet with some varnish on it.

> The boat will see day/overnight use, maybe a long weekend eventually.

> So what's the verdict?

> Bill Jankowski

I built a very good looking 18 foot cape charles out of bending birch (4mm) and it worked fine. it was only glassed on the bottom. It was a little heavy but not bad. I punched a few holes it when I dropped on my vans hood orniment but it patched up without any problems. Baltic birch is much stronger, it might be hard to bend? With the glass on both sides you can use almost anything. If it makes it through the stiching process you are home free. My last two boats have been 3mmm luan wit 4 oz glass both sides. They are holding up quit well.