: Hi everyone,

: Scarfing is well underway for our Yost SeaTour EXP 15s, and we're looking
: forward to the next steps. One quandry we're foreseeing, however, is that
: while there's certainly enough wood in our 4'x8' sheet of 1/2" okoumé
: for the frames and bow/stern plates of both boats, the coaming rings
: appear to be another story.

: The manual calls for three rather large rings of the 1/2" stuff, capped
: by a lip made of 1/4" ply. Since I don't want to buy an additional
: sheet of 1/4" okoumé, or use up a ton of the stuff I do have, the
: scheme I've in mind goes something like this: -Use 1/2"
: exterior-grade plywood for the first two coaming rings.

: -Instead of a third 1/2" ring and a 1/4" lip, simply cut the lip
: out of the 1/2" okoumé.

: -After they've been well sealed, wrap the edges of the ugly lower-grade
: plywood in some nice-looking bendy wood to preserve the "look".

: This plan would leave the coaming 1/4" lower and possibly slightly
: heavier than it would be according to the plans, but has the advantage of
: conserving our okoumé, and saving us money, while looking "just as
: good".

: So my question is, is this a foolish thing to be considering? How important
: is that extra quarter inch? Would a thicker coaming lip somehow be a
: problem? What about the non-marine aspect? I don't envision the coaming
: getting persistently soaked, but then again, I don't have enough
: experience to know what to expect.

: Thanks!

: -Jonathan and Amy

I also use non-marine grade ply for the coamings. 3/4" gap is the minimum or you'll never get the skirt on, or for that matter off. I normally cut the coaming pieces in half lengthwise then epoxy them together on the boat. I do use a one piece 1/4" ply top piece as that shows. Lots easier laying out halves of the coaming than full pieces on the plywood.

Bill H.