Bill,

I made a MC 16.5 out of 1/4" Lauan, see photo below. I opted for the Lauan because of higher cost ($45/sheet versus $8/sheet) and lack of availablty of the okume in my area. Using the 1/4" on the hull worked great, but could not bend the deck on the 16.5, so I ended up stripping the deck. Stripping the deck worked real good. Added probably a weeks worth of work compared to making a plywood deck, but I do like the looks of the stripped deck. I think if I did it over again, I would try to make it with the okume. My boat ended up being about 90 lbs, compared to speced 55 lbs that CLC quotes. I think the added weight was due to the heavier luaun, the stripped deck, and probably using to much expoxy and using solid oak for some of the fittings (seats, rails, etc.). Otherwise, I am real happy with the boat. It is a bit of a chore to load the boat on to the car by myself, but it can be done and once it's in the water, the extra weight doesn't matter. Either way will work so enjoy the building.

Tom