Yo Grant

I got my paua shell highlight strip from Southern Shell in Riverton. Email:

"Southern Shell"

Apparently they send shell to Phillipines where it is microtone-shaved by lazer and pressed onto plastic backing and cut into sheets 240 x 140 mm.

This is part of a list they sent me. The prices are NZ dollars. Add goods and services tax and postage. Plus for a $2 per sheet fee they cut the sheets up into 14mm wide strips for me.

WHOLESALE 23 March 2001
PRODUCT AND PRICE LIST

1. Shell Laminate NZD/Laminate (excl GST)

23cm x 13cm, 0.5mm thick

Paua, Abalone Pearl, Black Pearl - natural $13.00

White Pearl - natural $15.00

Paua - colour tinted $13.50

Colour Range - Blue, green, red, yellow, pink, burgundy

I just epoxy glued the thin (in cross section) paua shell strips directly onto the deck panels using the sheerline as a guide. Then I glassed over the paua shell strip and everything else when I sheathed the hull and decks. Protected from 'pickie fingers' and abrasion for ever more. Works good for S&G panels for sure. Might involve a bit more trickery for a nicely rounded stripper though.

Cheers Pete