PVC Boards for Stringers

[dgmeyer]

I was strolling around Lowes today and stumbled on PVC trim boards.  You can get 1 X 4, 1 X 6, and 1 X 8 in 8', 12', and 16' lengths.   Has anyone ever used these for stringers?   It seems like they would be ideal in terms of never rotting and I also read that the real strength comes from the fiberglass overlayment.  Supposedly, in the old days they would even use cardboard tubes in some places.  I like they idea of being able to get a completely uniform board at these lengths.   I wonder how screws hold in PVC.

Perhaps I am overthinking this because it's not as if my boat will be exposed to prolonged moisture.   I'll use it, drain it, and store it under a roof.

Don

[WetRaider]

I've looked at those, too. 
I think they're a bit heavier than traditional wood ... and you'd want to make sure that your curing resin doesn't melt the plastic.
As far as the screws, they'd hold just fine.  Some coarse thread stainless deck screws should do well - just don't go heavy on the drill.  You might have to pre-drill your holes, too.

[Hyperacme]

" make sure that your curing resin doesn't melt the plastic. "

And make sure resin will stick to it ....
There's composite stuff that's made for glassing but is about twice the price of marine ply ...

[V153]

They are heavy & it's hard to get anything to stick to em.

If'n ya wanna go with composite material go with Tuff Stuff (below), or Coosa board, or Plascore even.

That pvc stuff is great for soffits'n facias etc at your house. But not for boatbuilding

[CVZ18Fan]

I put the same post up last year out of curiosity, they say the resin won't adhere to it properly.

Rich

[dgmeyer]

Sounds like PVC boards are NOT the way to go.    Thanks for the input.

I'm not seeing fir in any of our lumber yards around here in 12' lengths.   I'm sure I can special order it through a specialty lumber store since I don't need a lot.  I was also thinking of buying yellow pine floor joists - that stuff is tough.    I can cut it down to the 4" height I need and then run it through my planer to make it the desired width.   I'm just hung up on getting something 12' long without a joint and pretty clear wood free of knots.

[75starflight]

Sounds like PVC boards are NOT the way to go.    Thanks for the input.

I'm not seeing fir in any of our lumber yards around here in 12' lengths.   I'm sure I can special order it through a specialty lumber store since I don't need a lot.  I was also thinking of buying yellow pine floor joists - that stuff is tough.    I can cut it down to the 4" height I need and then run it through my planer to make it the desired width.   I'm just hung up on getting something 12' long without a joint and pretty clear wood free of knots.

Don,

if you are worried about the length of board use plywood and make your own.

Doing the transom on Phoenix Rising has amazed me at the laminating strength of resin and fiber glass. I have taken 3/4" and 1/2" cabinet grade oak ply that I could bend really easily and turned it rock solid when laminating it together. Just putting in my two cents, but it is an idea of something to look into rather than spending the money for special order lumber that my not be the quality you originally wanted.

[dorelse]

I agree with Brandon!

Sent from my M9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Jerry]

Cabinet grade is interior plywood, and expensive. Just standard ol exterior plywood works the best.

[carlsoncvx18]

Well the next time you are in the mpls/St paul area stop at Youngblood lumber they have straight grain spruce/knot free. I would use it for a spar in a airplane thats is how nice it is.  Not cheap in price though.

[GIL_CV21]

Doug fir is most commonly used as roof rafters in the construction industry and i've seen lengths run over 16 feet . look around , go ask a builder they will point you to a good supply of Doug fir .

[dgmeyer]

Thanks for all of the tips.   I'm getting ready to tackle this in three weeks and have been reviewing all of the threads that I have read over the past five months.   As my father always said, "you need to plan your work and then work your plan."