RobJohn

Member

Registered: 27 Apr 2025

Posts: 2

FireFly deck

Looking to fit a new deck onto an old Fairey Marine Firefly and keen to preserve it's original look.
Okoume ply appears like a good match but unsure?
Any advice on fitting would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

Employee

From: Gatebeck Cumbria

Registered: 4 Aug 2011

Posts: 132

Re: FireFly deck

Okoume is used on all of the Fyne Boat Kits: it is light, strong and lasts for decades with minimum maintenance after coating.  The problem for you is that it may be slightly lighter in colour than your previous deck.  If you epoxy coat it and then apply varnish is does darken but I don’t think that it will be quite as dark as your previous deck.  However, I do recommend it rather than the heavy cheap marine plywood that is available from wood yards: replacing a deck is hard work and you do not want to have to do it again for a very long time.

There is a little more information about the wood on the Fyne Boat Kits website under Information. Or click the link below.

Wood For Boat Building

RobJohn

Member

Registered: 27 Apr 2025

Posts: 2

Re: FireFly deck

Hi
Thank you for the reply. I'm back on this project and will go for the Okoume ply.
I noticed you supply 3mm and 4mm thickness.
The size I need appears somewhere between the two.
Would is be possible to order samples of each thickness?

Best regards, Robert

Phil

Employee

Registered: 8 Jun 2011

Posts: 70

Re: FireFly deck

Hi RobJohn,

Your boat will have been made with imperial thickness plywood and there is only metric available now, so probably go with 4mm as the 3mm will be too thin and isn't as strong.

If you want any further advice please just phone the shop during work hours, 01539 567148.

Phil