If this was discussed before my apologies. I did a search but could not find a similar post. Finding Okoume marine plywood in South Africa is impossible. For my Chesapeak 16 the 4mm ply (BS1088 "marine?" plywood with sapele veneer) was acceptable. The 6mm plywood (classified as marine BS1088 again but I have my doubts) was rubbish, with only 3 plies of which the outer cores were about only 0.5mm thick.

For my next project (Passagemaker) I can get high quality birch ply (from Finland). Surface texture is excellent, 7 layers/plies for the 6mm sheets for example. Disadvantages are:1) heavier than Okoume? 2) stiffer than Okoume? and 3) the color of the wood is very pale and probably does not lend itself to a bright finish. Especially point number 2 worries me as the PDM requires the wood to be bend quite a bit. I would like your opinions but it seems as if I don't have much of a choice.

Regards

Erik