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SKU: BORD_PGABM060X244122

Gaboon Marine Plywood BS1088

$82.75
$27.80 excludes GST
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Gaboon Marine Plywood BS1088 is the gold standard in marine-grade panel products, manufactured from 100% Okoume hardwood veneers bonded with WBP phenolic adhesive.

Certified to the rigorous BS1088 British Standard, this plywood features void-free core construction and premium face veneers, delivering exceptional performance in boat building, wet areas, and demanding exterior applications.

At 430–480 kg/m³, Gaboon is one of the lightest marine plywoods available, 8–12% lighter than Meranti and approximately 20% lighter than Douglas Fir, making it the preferred choice for weight-sensitive projects from racing hulls to caravan fitouts.

The warm pink-to-golden Okoume grain finishes beautifully under epoxy, varnish, or paint, while superior flexibility makes it the easiest marine plywood to bend for tight-radius curves.

Features

  • BS1088:2018 certified with WBP phenolic adhesive (72+ hours boiling resistance)
  • Void-free core construction — no gaps or defects that trap moisture
  • Lightweight — easiest handling of any marine plywood
  • Exceptional bendability for stitch-and-glue and curved applications
  • Beautiful Okoume grain with warm golden tones under clear finishes

Important notice: All wood-based panels are by nature potentially subject to bowing, cupping or warping following application of veneer. Read our panel manufacturing guidelines to learn more.

Species: Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana), also known as Gaboon

Origin: Central West Africa (primarily Gabon)

Standard: BS 1088:2018 Marine Plywood

Bond classification: EN 314-2 Class 3 (exterior conditions)

Adhesive type: WBP phenolic (weather and boil proof) — 72+ hours boiling resistance

Face grade: A/B (premium sanded face, solid serviceable back)

Core construction: Void-free. No gaps wider than 0.5mm permitted under BS1088

Thickness: 6mm (5-ply), 9mm (7-ply), 12mm (9-ply), 15mm (11-ply), 18mm (13-ply), 25mm (11-ply)

Density: 430–480 kg/m³

Moisture content (at manufacture): 6–14%

Face veneer thickness: Minimum 1.3mm

Formaldehyde emission: E1

Grain: Straight to slightly wavy

Colour: Warm pink to salmon, ageing to golden honey tones under clear finishes.

Finish: Sheets are sanded both sides and ready for sealing. Gaboon is not naturally rot-resistant, so all surfaces and edges must be sealed with epoxy, marine paint, or varnish for exterior, marine, and wet area applications.

Finishing recommendations: Clean surfaces with acetone and allow 1-2 hours drying time. Sand with 80-grit progressing to 120-grit, then remove all dust before coating. Seal all surfaces with epoxy (minimum 3 coats, extra on edges) and radius edges for better coating coverage. Topcoat with marine paint or UV-resistant varnish. Epoxy alone is not UV stable and requires a protective topcoat for sun-exposed installations. For clear finishes, marine spar varnish over epoxy showcases the warm Okoume grain beautifully.

Recommended applications: Boat building (hulls, decks, transoms, interiors), wet areas (bathrooms, laundries, kitchens), caravans and campers, outdoor furniture, architectural features, pontoons and jetties, high-humidity environments.

Not suitable for: Direct ground contact, prolonged UV exposure without protective coating, or applications where panels remain unsealed.

Bendability: Excellent. The most flexible marine plywood available. Ideal for tight-radius curves in stitch-and-glue boat construction. Thinner sheets (6mm) bend most readily.

Workability: Easy to cut, rout, and shape with standard woodworking tools. Excellent screw-holding capacity. Bonds exceptionally well with epoxy systems, creating composite structures stronger and lighter than solid fibreglass.

Storage: Store flat on a level surface in a dry, ventilated area. Elevate off concrete floors using pallets or bearers. Protect edges from moisture penetration. Allow sheets to acclimatise to the installation environment before use.

Sheet Weight (Approx):

Sheet Size 6mm 9mm 12mm 15mm 18mm 25mm
2440 × 1220 13 kg 20 kg 27 kg 34 kg 40 kg 56 kg

Important information:

  • Marine plywood requires sealing. Gaboon (Okoume) is not naturally durable and must be fully encapsulated with epoxy or marine coatings for wet, exterior, or marine applications. Unsealed panels will deteriorate when exposed to moisture.
  • Natural timber variation. Okoume colour ranges from pink to salmon, ageing to golden honey tones under clear finishes. Colour and grain will vary between sheets. Images and samples should be used as a general reference only.

To give you the best rate, we offer various delivery options based on your destination, product type and order size. View our rates below or proceed to checkout to calculate your delivery cost.

Free Pickup - Somerton VIC

Free pickup available between 7.00am - 3.00pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Trade Local Delivery - Forklift Required

Flat-rate delivery for local trade customers. All trade deliveries require a forklift for safe unloading. Estimated 1 business day (excluding factory lead time).

Within 50 km of Somerton VIC $50 flat rate
50-100 km from Somerton VIC $75 flat rate

Panel Products

Panel product delivery rates scale with weight and distance to give you the best possible price across Australia. Estimated 2-3 business days (excluding factory lead time).

Please review our Panel Product Delivery Safety Guidelines before ordering.

Total Order Weight (kg) VIC NSW ACT SA QLD NT WA TAS
Up to 49 kg $70 $110 $110 $120 $130 $150 $150 $150
50 - 149 kg $120 $150 $165 $180 $190 $230 $230 $230
150 - 249 kg $140 $250 $250 $280 $300 $370 $370 $370
250+ kg $150 $470 $470 $495 $510 $600 $600 $600

Lightweight Items

Flat-rate shipping Australia-wide. Estimated 2-8 business days (excluding factory lead time).

Edge Banding, Timber Oils and Pre-Glued Veneer Leaves $40 flat rate Australia-wide
Paper Back Veneers, 1mm Laminates and Liners (excl. Magnetic Laminate & Veneer on Laminate) $70 flat rate Australia-wide

Samples

Affordable sample shipping with free standard post in Victoria.

Local Delivery VIC FREE Standard Post (2-8 business days)
$15 Express Post (1-4 business days)
Rest of Australia $15 Standard Post (2-8 business days)

Gaboon (Okoume) is sourced exclusively from the Congo Basin in Central West Africa, the world's second-largest tropical rainforest. Gabon, the primary source of Okoume timber, has implemented significant sustainability measures, including a complete ban on raw log exports since 2009, requiring all processing to occur in-country. Responsible forestry practices include selective harvesting (maximum 7% of Okoume harvested annually per forest area) with 25-year rotation cycles.

This product is available FSC-certified or PEFC-certified upon request, subject to market availability. Please contact us before placing your order to confirm your certification requirements and current availability.

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