Is Plywood a Good Flooring Option for a Pontoon Boat?
We primarily distinguish between boats made from materials such as aluminum or fiberglass-reinforced polyester composite (FRP). European pontoon manufacturers most often use plywood for the flooring. The question is, is this really a good choice? What should you know before deciding to buy a boat with this type of construction?
First of all, why plywood?
Today, we’ll take a closer look at the use of plywood as a flooring material for pontoon boats. I’ll analyze its pros and cons and share practical tips that could save you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.
Waterproof plywood or okoume marine plywood is popular because of:
⦁ the ease of availability,
⦁ relatively low cost compared to other composite or aluminum technologies,
⦁ ease of processing and working with the material,
⦁ good rigidity.
Types of Plywood Used in Yacht Construction:
Waterproof plywood – bonded with resin adhesives, resistant to moisture.
Marine plywood – higher quality, free of internal voids, offering better durability.
Okoume plywood – lightweight and well-suited for marine applications, though significantly more expensive.
Disadvantages:
Despite impregnation and protective coatings, plywood can still delaminate and absorb water over time.
It requires labor-intensive and precise sealing with varnishes, resins, or fiberglass mats.
It is susceptible to mold and rot, especially in humid or poorly ventilated conditions.
Weight – plywood adds considerable weight, which must be factored into the boat’s buoyancy and performance calculations.
Practical Tips:
Always seal both sides of the plywood, even if one side will not be visible.
Do not mount plywood directly onto metal structures – always use washers or spacers to prevent capillary water absorption.
Below are photos showing the condition of the flooring in a pontoon boat. The images were taken during the servicing of one such unit.
The lack of spacers between the flooring and the aluminum structure, combined with errors in the plywood sealing process, caused the plywood to start swelling. Mold growth is also visible.
In DRIFTMARK pontoon boats from the AL series, we do not use plywood as flooring reinforcement. (Production photo below)
Fiberglass-reinforced polyester composite is used in the DRIFTMARK 250GR models.
In summary:
If you’re looking for an affordable, readily available, and easy-to-install solution, plywood is a good choice—provided it is properly sealed. It’s an ideal option for private use, especially for those who build their own pontoon boats and enjoy DIY projects. For commercial vessels or more demanding applications, it’s worth considering composite materials or aluminum decking.
