: I had a sheet of 1/2" 9 layer baltic birch laying around my
: shop, so i used it for my cross sections. I had been planning on
: coating it with epoxy, but i've been reading on here most people
: don't epoxy thier mdo or marine ply. Can i get away with just
: oil or polyurethane on the birch? My boat is a touring model, so
: i have plans to roll it, or in anyway submerge it.

: I may drop a scrap in a bucket of water for 24 hours to see if it
: delaminates. Any thoughts?

: Thanks,

: John R

Check out the Klepper website (www.klepper.com) They have used Baltic birch for decades for their frames. I believe they give each frame three coats of varnish. Not sure if they dip the frames in the varnish or if it is painted on the frames. No epoxy.

I suspect that 3 good coats of a urethane or polyurethane varnish would last 10 to 20 years, and if it showed wear sooner it could be easily touched up every 5 years or so when you re-skin the boat.

PGJ