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… This was the pleasant heading of the article about VENDIA marine plank in Classic Boat magazine (March 2015) written by Scottish Adrian Morgan. Adrian first saw VENDIA on the Internet and was keen to try it, because, as he says himself, he hates ordinary plywood. He has been writing a blog about his project with the Gartside 16ft skiff Bob made of VENDIA. It has been pleasant to read about his project and his satisfaction with VENDIA.

Designing of a more sporty, so called pulling boat, has started in Kuopio (Finland) by boatbuilding line of vocational school. The aim is to get a quick and sensitive boat to row. There will be three oarlock pairs, which makes the rowing possible also for two persons. The middle oarlock is for single rowing.

Phenol formaldehyde adhesive is the most commonly used glue in marine plywood. It is water-resistant and commonly used in plywood industry. Originally the phenol formaldehyde adhesive is colourless but effect of air and oxygen convert the phenol into brown. That is why the dark glue seams stand out in plank board joints and edges if wooden boat is made of normal marine plywood.

VENDIA was on view in Kuopio, Finland at Kallavesj’ 2015 boat show on 10.-12.4.2015. There were exhibitors from the fields of boating, tourism and leisure time and during the weekend there were approximately 25 000 visitors. At the boat show we were together with Boatyard Aki Ruotsalainen, so the crowd also had the ability to see two boats made of VENDIA marine plank.

There are certain similarities and differences between VENDIA marine plank and plywood. Few weeks ago we wrote (link) about the differences between sliced and peeled veneer. VENDIA is always made of sliced veneer and this is one of the most important differences between VENDIA and plywood. But there are also other differences, for example structure, glue, raw material, form of the final product, and finishing.

Structure

VENDIA will be at Kallavesj’ 2015 exhibition in Kuopio, Finland from 10th to 12th April. Kallavesj’ 2015 is a fair for boating, tourism, and leisure time so there will be something to see to whole family. On VENDIA’s presentation stand you will get to know to VENDIA marine plank and other products from VENDIA product family. There will be also the next generation VENDIA marina plank, VENDIA Pro, which was introduced at Helsinki International Boat Show in February 2015. 

Many people dream of building an own wooden boat but many of us wonder the lack of experience. Building a wooden boat is fine handicraft but at the same time it is demanding work, so different kind of boatbuilding courses are excellent places for the beginners to build the first wooden boat. For example in Finland the local adult education centres arrange boatbuilding courses for the beginners. There is a professional teacher on the course who teaches the boatbuilding step by step. Also the materials and drawings are arranged on behalf of the course so it is easy to start the boatbuilding.