> A cautionary tale about Lauan (sp?) ply:

> I recently tried to bend 3/16" Lauan plywood for some window trim. It
> kept failing within the center ply, so I tried to soften it with hot
> water. It delaminated within ten minutes; you could just peel the face
> veneers away.

> This was old plywood of unknow origin, so this experience may not apply to
> the stuff sold now, but if I was going to use it in a boat I would be sure
> to test it first.

I built my very first boat from luan, that was three years ago, since then i've built several others from marine grade wood, but as of two weeks ago it still paddled just fine. Be careful when laying out the panels because of the difference of the two sides of the wood.(one side smooth, one side is not)

-JOHNNIE