Gaboon Marine Plywood BS1088
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Gaboon Marine Plywood BS1088
Description
Description
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
Specifications
Specifications
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.
Delivery
Delivery
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 & Pre-Glued Veneer Leaves | $40 flat rate Australia-wide |
| Paper Back Veneers, 1mm Laminates & 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) |
Environmental Information
Environmental Information
Additional Information
Additional Information
Downloads
Downloads
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