Substitute for Real Wood

Bertram Brad · Post by **Bertram Brad** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 1:35 pm

Has anybody used a substitute "synthetic" material to replace the wood along the transom, rails, and ladder on their boat? I want something that looks good and is mostly maintenance free.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:06 pm

Brad... I have been using PVC stock in place of wood for a lot of things on my boat, such as bilge pump brackets, the panels on the sides of the cockpit, switch panels and other non-structural things. It holds screws well, can be epoxy glued, and can be painted. I have even veneered it with teak veneer. It is more flexible than wood, so I wouldn't use it for bulkheads or other critical items. It will yellow somewhat if left uncoated in bright sunlight, so for exterior applications I paint it. It does not rot or even absorb water, and it floats. It is too soft to use as flooring, but I am planning on replacing my flybridge ladder steps with it. It definitely is not "Starboard", which I hate and is almost impossible to glue and paint. You can buy it at almost any building supply big box store..â€�Azekâ€� is one trade name for it, but there are others as well. It is available in board form, and I buy 4’x8’ sheets of it (3/8" and 3/4") at a specialty building supply store (Lansing Building Materials). It also is available in various moulding profiles, including 1 Â½â€� by 1 Â½â€� square stock. I work it with common woodworking tools, and paint it with AwlCraft 2000.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:10 am

I just used Azek to replace the panel above my Port engine, even bought the vinyl from Defender and covered myself to match. Came out great and nice to know it'll never rot. $90 for 4' X 8" sheet of 3/8"....done ! Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA