Glen,

I've built two stitch and glue designs from plans using Home Depot 1/8" Luan plywood and I've built a CLC Ches. 17 from their kit which includes 4mm Okoume plywood sections.

To my eye - the okoume looks better. It is definitely higher quality - although I got a really nice batch of Luan from Home Depot this last time around. The 1/8" luan is definitely lighter than the 4mm okoume but significantly weaker and super flexy. On this last boat I 'glassed the inside with 3oz cloth first. This really improved the properties of the luan - but took extra time.

I think I probably would have bought okoume if I had it to do over - but back in January I was all anxious to get this craft built. When you consider the amount of time you put into building a kayak - an extra $100 in supplies doesn't seem like that much. I've been at this one off and on for 6 months now - and probably have a month or two left. That's less than $15 a month. I probably spend that much on coffee.

I guess none of this answers your question. You may want to flip through the archives. There have quite some, occasionally heated, discussions about strengths and materials. I have no real knowledge on these matters. I think it is hard to compare S&G vs. strip built on materials alone - since the techniques involved affect strength also.

PC

: Hi everyone!

: In Nick's excellent book he states that a variety of woods can be used for
: strip building because the fiberglass/expoxy seals it against moisture.
: This seems logical to me especially for recreational boats that spend most
: of the year out of the water. Others, for instance Pigmy Boats, warn
: against using the cheaper plywood. Is cheaper laun plywood any worse than
: using cedar for a cedar strip kayak? How does one justify spending so much
: for marine plywood? I would appreciate hearing any comments from others on
: this question.

: Thanks