JEM - Swamp Girl 16ft hybrid pirogue

[fishsaint78]

After about a year of going back and forth about building or buying, I have decided to take the plunge. I have decided on a pirogue/canoe hybrid from JEM watercraft. I'm gonna try to take this as slow as possible, but I'm already chomping at the bit. So far I've started on the "strongback" of sorts.... we will see if she floats!

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[Dogpaddlin]

Very cool, I eye-balled one of these for a while. Keep us posted on the build.

[Mullet Key]

I built one several years ago. It's great for river cruising / camping. Have you finished it yet?

[fishsaint78]

I built one several years ago. It's great for river cruising / camping. Have you finished it yet?

Hey, nice looking boat. I haven't really started. One thing lead to another and next thing I know a year + has passed. I recently broke out the plans and read through them though. My biggest concern is the plywood. I don't want to buy Okume due to this being my first boat. I want ABX or possibly ACX, but nothing in the big box stores is marked accordingly and my best guess never looks like high enough quality.

Does anyone have any idea where to get 3/8" 5 ply or better ABX or ACX? JEM ?

[Phishtech]

Get you some Luanne from Home Depot or Lowe's. It's basically cabinet ply. I've built 2 of the JEM boats with it and it'll do just fine. I know a lot of the other builders have used it also with great success. Last time I looked it was about $12 for a 4x8 sheet. Be sure to pick through the stack to find some good ones.

[fishsaint78]

I have some of the 3 ply stuff from HD. The only problem is it was in the garage for a year and it got rain on it when the door was open one day, warped like fried bacon. Also, it chips up really bad.

[fishsaint78]

Get you some Luanne from Home Depot or Lowe's. It's basically cabinet ply. I've built 2 of the JEM boats with it and it'll do just fine. I know a lot of the other builders have used it also with great success. Last time I looked it was about $12 for a 4x8 sheet. Be sure to pick through the stack to find some good ones.

The blueprints recommend 3/16" or 1/4" marine grade, but I'm being honest and admitting my first try at this won't be perfect so I'm not spending $300.00 on my plywood alone. If it all falls apart on my second trip I won't be devastated. With that having been said, I can find 3 prospective sheets.....