Honduran mahogany is luan. Just a different name for the same product so they can charge more for it.

Adhesive wise, my understanding is that outdoor rated wood is glued with the exact same adhesive as marine grade, and that this has been so for several years now.

Sources of those claims are places like lumber mills and trade magazines.

If you've got a Home Depot, check them for 1/4" luan. In my huntings in the Maryland area they had the best quality and lowest price. A combination I like. There are different grades of 1/4" laun. Most quickly observed in the thiness of the outer skins. This is weak, and those sheets often have voids on the center core. Voids can be observed by holding the sheet up to the light. It will often shine through a void. The Home Depot luan is also reinforced with a nylon mesh between each layer of wood. The stuff is quite strong. The downside is that it carries a weight penalty. Not a lot, but I'd estimate about 5-10 pounds increase in the kayak weight. But since it saves you several hundred dollars (Home Depot 1/4" luan, $7.00 per 4'x8' sheet), I'll take that weight penalty and pay for a trip or two with the boat.

> Hope this isn't a recent repeat, but I'm planning on building a Merganser
> later this winter and have started looking around for wood. There is a
> hardwood dealer in Indianapolis that carries a good variety, but not
> okoume. They carry a Honduran mahogany (1/4")($50/sheet) and
> 1/8" luan ($15/sheet). Neither of these are marine grade, but since
> it will be covered with epoxy, does it have to be? I don't plan on this
> being by only kayak and will be part of my learning process; so would I be
> better off saving the money, or do I really need to find the okomue and
> pay for the shipping.

> Thanks for any commnets and your help.