again,only marine grade i've ever seen,or used is AA-no voids,no imperfections - "research" on the internet and actual experience are 2 very different things.personally,i'm not aware of lower grades - the supplier i use carrys only one grade.
Kreepa I'm not argueing that there are some plywoods that are better then others, or your experience with the types you use, but the above quote says it all. Just because you have never seen or used something doesn't mean it exists. You may have 1000 years of experience, but if it is all only with the same products from the same place then it's moot. If your supplier only carries one grade then they are charging you a premium for something that isn't needed. Why would you pay the extra money for AA sanded ply for a transom replacement that will be covered heavily in biaxial fabric and faired out? doesn't make sense since AA is mostly used for brightwork and would add a rediculous cost for a transom replacement.
Outside of that, you are wrong about composites. All composite means is being built from multiple materials and they have been building composite fiberglass boats since they invented fiberglass towards the end of world war II. Yes there are different composite cores you can use, but any coring is considered a composite. Also there are still many boat builders still cold moulding using plywood. Telling stories of big boats with big motors is impressive and that wreck sounds aweful, but this is microskiff. We are here to do more with less and the construction differences between small skiffs and big offshore boats is great!
I'm glad you are certified and trained, but so is any ASE mechanic and most I would never let touch my car or truck. I'm glad you have been working for 20 years, I'm sure you have seen some amazing boats and builds. I've met guys who have worked with glass for only a few months that knew much more then I did, and I've met guys who worked in a glass factory for most of there lives (actually this morning) that didn't even know the difference between epoxy and polyester resins. Point is with statements like something doesn't exist because I haven't seen it or used it doesn't lend well to asserting expertise.
PS. My ego isn't tied to an internet forum, so if you are going to try and knock my rig you had better come up with something better of your own more impressive to get a rise out of me
my ego's not tied to an internet forum either -
there's a reason to use aa fnished on both sides ply - reason being "adhesion" knots,imperfections,etc,these won't hold a lamination mix,unless filled - glassing over a knot hole ? there's gonna be a void - you really want a void ?
commons sense tells us,use the best materials,that way,no need to do the job again-again,there's different grades - but,the grade to use,is what i use,along with most guys in the biz i know -that grade is AA.attempting to laminate with warped,checked,split,full of imperfections,core material is asking for trouble -if that's what you use,and recomend perhaps you should reconsider your choices - using a core material like that is like assembling an engine with belt bolts...
"composite build" ,that refers to building with composites,not building with wood - hence the term "composite build"
"cored" fiberglass has been around since the beginning - using "composites" and "composite building",is the use of composite technology -getting away from the use of wood - wood rots,remember ? again,"composite" and "wood",are 2 very different things.building technology has changed dramitically,the use of composite cores,has almost become an industry standard
ever use composites ? vacum bagging techniques ? ever use these methods ? ever work with kevlar,carbon fiber ?
"internet research",and actualy using products is much different -kind of like going to the doctor's office ,you wouldn't go to a proctologist for a head ache,right ? but,they're both dr's ? right ? would you go to a heart dr fresh out of medical school,or would you go to a heart dr with a few years of experience ? i know my choice
operating a biz - you don't last very long,not knowing what you're doing,or using substandard materials - you're only as good as your last job
i realize this is "micor skiff",but,it's a boat - meaning,it gets wet,right ? same standards apply.use the best materials and techniques.there's an old saying "if you don't have the time to do it correctly,the first time,make time to do it again"
reason i'm home today - just got an epidoral in my lower back...