Wood trim projects on a boat take endless rounds of sanding and varnishing. Plywood is workable but it tends to delaminate or rot. Despair not: Some very good options exist in the form of Starboard, polymer lumber, Foam PVC and related plastics. They generally cost more but save time because the material doesn't need paint. In fact, paint won't even stick.
Don't confuse polymer lumber with plastic lumber; the two are very different. Plastic lumber is a composite material made from wood fiber and recycled plastics. Polymer lumber and similar cousins are solid, homogeneous materials that do not contain wood fibers, or anything else but plastic. As such they are waterproof, and require no finishing.
StarBoard â„¢ is perhaps the most well known of these products. Manufactured by King Plastics in Florida, it is sold in sheet form as well as fabricated products. What most people don't realize is that there is a whole family of StarBoard products, as well as similar offerings from other manufacturers.
Here's a look at what is available.
Cabela'sStandard StarBoard is different sizes and thicknesses.
THE PATRIARCH
StarBoard is the first and oldest in the family. Used in boat building for years, the material comes in eight colors: WhiteWhite, Light Gray, Dolphin Gray, Sanshade, Artic White, Seafoam, Seapearl and Black.
As mentioned above, StarBoard is a solid material, with the color running completely through the sheet. It is highly resistant to UV rays and will not discolor over time. Waterproof, it will not swell, delaminate or splinter. The surface has a smooth matte finish that is easy to keep clean.
Standard sheet sizes, available in many marine stores, are 54 x 96 inches or 48 x 96 inches. Available thicknesses are 1/4–inch, 3/8–inch, 1/2–inch, 3/4–inch, 1–inch and up to 1 1/2–inch, though retailers do not regularly stock all colors and sizes. The larger sheets can weigh 45 pounds, for a ¼–inch sheet, to 240 pounds for a 1 ½–inch sheet. Sheet prices, depending on the width, range from $190 to $480. Here's a few price comparisons: A sheet of 1/2–inch thick StarBoard will run you $330; the price for plywood would range from $73 for fir to $286 for teak. (See chart comparing StarBoard product and assorted plywood prices).
THE OFFSPRING
StarBoard AS stands for "Anti–Skid." The sheets come with a raised dot pattern that provides a non–skid surface as well as water drainage from the surface. It comes in the same eight colors as standard StarBoard so an exact color match between the two is possible. Standard sheet sizes are the same, but this product is only available in ½–inch, ¾–inch and 1–inch thicknesses.
This product is great for decks, swim platforms, ladder treads as well as shower and engine room gratings.
Weight is one of the few drawbacks of the standard StarBoard products. StarBoard â„¢ XL is a lighter alternative, having a closed cell foam construction that is 30 percent lighter than standard StarBoard. It is useful where the edge finish and structural strength aren't as important. It comes in eight colors, matching other StarBoard products.
Standard sheet sizes are 60–by–96 inches and 48–by–96 inches. Available thicknesses are 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4–inches. Full sheets weights range from 36 pounds for the thinnest sheet up to 109 pounds for a 3/4–inch sheet.
While other StarBoard products are made from virgin polymers, StarLite â„¢ XL is made from recycled polymers. The construction is closed cell foam that is 35 percent lighter than regular StarBoard.
