This product is great in behind the scenes applications where the edges won't show. This material is an excellent substitute for the plywood often used in seat backs and bottoms because it holds staples well and won't rot or absorb water.
Paul EsterleA companionway drop board fashioned from KLEER.Many of our boats have cushions that consist of a layer of foam placed on a plywood back plate. The upholstery is then wrapped around the front, over the foam and stapled to the plywood in back. The plywood backings deteriorates with age and contact with water. The StarLite XL lightweight product makes an excellent substitute for the plywood cushion backs. It is easy to shape and accepts and holds staples very well. Best of all, it won't deteriorate with age.
Standard sheet sizes are 60–by–96 inches and 48–by–96 inches. It comes in ¼, 3/8, ½, and ¾–inch thicknesses, but the color choices are more limited. The only colors available are utility grade White, Gray or Black.
E–Board â„¢ is a relative new product, available in only one thickness, 5/32–inch, and one sheet size, 48–by–96 inches. This product is designed to make the installation of electrical and plumbing systems organized and quick. The sheet's surface is covered with loops that accept wire tires, which are also called zip ties. The wire ties hold the electric wires and plumbing lines in a neat and orderly fashion. Wire and plumbing runs look better because E–Board forces them into straight lines and 90–degree turns.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
Paul EsterleThis custom propane locker was a better fit than a ready-made commercial one.
While King Plastics makes all these products, finding them can be difficult. Most marine stores will carry smaller size pieces of standard StarBoard, distributed by Taco Metals. These sheets usually range from 12–by–12 inches up to a half sheet. Larger sizes can usually be special ordered. The problem is that most retailers do not carry and won't order anything but the standard StarBoard.
The larger sheets are heavy, so make sure that the store you order it from will have it delivered to the store at no charge. Freight will be expensive and most motor carriers will not deliver to your house. Another option is to ask your marina or boatyard if they have a local distributor that will deliver. The distributor I order my StarBoard(R) from delivers to my marina at no charge. The King Plastics web site (see link) has a feature that will find the nearest distributor to you, by state.
At times, I only need a small piece of StarBoard, not a large sheet, especially in the thicker sizes. I have had a good deal of success using eBaymotors (see link) for these pieces. Look under boat parts for suppliers. I recently purchased about a square foot of 1 ½–inch StarBoard for less than $20. Having to buy full sheet (distributors don't sell partial sheets) would have made the project prohibitively expensive. Exercise all the usual cautions when buying on line.
DESIGN ISSUES
Most advertising literature for StarBoard touts it as a direct replacement for plywood, though the material has some physical characteristics that must be taken into account.
StarBoard is not as stiff as plywood. A loaded shelf that spans three to four feet built out of StarBoard would start sagging. This cold flow characteristic must be accounted for when using StarBoard structurally.
The usual method is to provide supports in the form of stringers or other edge supports under the item. In the case of the shelf, a two–inch strip fastened vertically under the shelf edges would probably be sufficient.
Unless you use one of the lighter varieties, StarBoard will be heavier than plywood and the supporting structure will need to be that much stronger. Items like storage boxes need to be securely mounted to resist shifting in a seaway.
