Building boats, kayaks or high-end furniture and comparing okoume marine plywood with cheaper sheets? You are right to look closely. Two panels can both be sold as “marine plywood” and behave completely differently once they are wet. The difference lies in the species, the glue, the veneer quality and the standard the panel is made to.
In this guide we explain what makes Okoume the favourite wood for marine plywood, what BS 1088 really means, which sizes are available, and how to buy in volume. We supply Okoume timber and veneer from Gabon and the Congo Basin at Global Timber Trade Hub, and Okoume plywood to order.
In short
- Okoume is light, strong for its weight and peels into clean veneer.
- BS 1088 is the reference standard for true marine plywood.
- Marine plywood uses waterproof glue and has no core gaps.
- Okoume plywood is lighter than meranti plywood of the same thickness.
- Okoume is non-durable on its own; seal it with epoxy, paint or varnish.
- Common sheets are 2,500 × 1,220 mm and 3,100 × 1,530 mm, from 3 to 25 mm thick.
Why Okoume is used for marine plywood
Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana) grows mainly in Gabon and neighbouring countries. Its logs are large, round and straight, which makes them ideal for peeling into long, continuous sheets of veneer.
Three qualities make it the first choice for boat building plywood:
- Light weight: about 430–450 kg/m³ as solid wood, so panels are easy to handle and boats stay light.
- Good strength for its weight: important for hulls, decks and bulkheads.
- Excellent gluing: Okoume bonds reliably with phenolic and epoxy adhesives.
What is BS 1088?
BS 1088 is a British Standard for marine plywood. It sets strict rules on:
- the timber species allowed, which must be suitable hardwoods such as Okoume or Meranti;
- the glue line, which must be fully waterproof and boil-resistant;
- the quality of face and core veneers, with very limited defects;
- no gaps or overlaps in the core;
- thickness tolerances.
Some panels sold as “marine” only meet a lower exterior standard. They may use the right glue but allow core gaps and lower-grade veneers. For hulls and structural boat parts, insist on BS 1088.
Marine plywood vs exterior plywood
| Feature | BS 1088 marine | Exterior grade |
|---|---|---|
| Glue | Waterproof, boil-resistant | Usually waterproof |
| Core gaps | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Face veneer quality | High, very few defects | Variable |
| Best use | Hulls, decks, structural boat parts | Sheathing, signs, outdoor panels |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Okoume vs Meranti marine plywood
Meranti is the other common marine plywood species. The main differences:
- Weight: Okoume plywood is noticeably lighter, which matters for small boats, kayaks and canoes.
- Durability: Meranti is a little more durable, but both need sealing.
- Appearance: Okoume has a pleasant salmon-pink face; Meranti is redder.
- Use: Okoume dominates for light craft and furniture; Meranti is used where extra hardness is wanted.
Sizes and thicknesses
Standard Okoume marine plywood sheets include:
- 2,500 × 1,220 mm, the most common size;
- 3,100 × 1,530 mm and other large formats for bigger panels;
- thicknesses from about 3 mm to 25 mm, commonly 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 25 mm.
Thin sheets suit kayak and canoe skins. 9–12 mm suits hull sides and bulkheads on small boats. 18–25 mm is used for transoms, floors and furniture.
Why sealing is essential
Okoume is classed as non-durable. On its own, it will rot if left wet and exposed. That is not a weakness for boat builders; it is simply how it is used. Okoume plywood is almost always:
- encapsulated in epoxy resin, often with fibreglass cloth, on hulls and decks;
- painted or varnished on interior and exposed parts;
- edge-sealed wherever it is cut or drilled.
Well sealed, an Okoume plywood boat can last for decades.
Uses beyond boats
Okoume plywood is also popular for:
- high-end furniture and cabinet carcasses, thanks to its light weight and attractive face;
- door skins and decorative panels;
- vehicle and camper van interiors, where weight matters;
- exhibition stands and shopfitting;
- model making and laser cutting in thin sheets.
Solid Okoume vs Okoume plywood
Besides plywood, we supply solid Okoume as sawn lumber and veneer. Solid Okoume is used for mouldings, light joinery, cigar boxes and boat parts such as stringers. Plywood is used where you need large, stable panels. Many boat builders order both in the same container.
Supply from Gabon: what you should know
Gabon does not allow the export of raw logs, to support local processing. That is why Okoume from Gabon is exported as sawn timber, veneer or plywood. We only ship logs where national law allows it. Okoume is not CITES listed, but every shipment still includes legal-origin, phytosanitary and origin documents.
How to check plywood quality on arrival
- Look for the standard and manufacturer mark on each sheet.
- Check the edges for core gaps and overlaps.
- Measure thickness at several points.
- Inspect face veneers for patches, splits and colour.
- Do a simple boil test on an offcut if you have doubts about the glue.
How to order Okoume marine plywood in bulk
To get an accurate quote, tell us:
- standard required, for example BS 1088;
- sheet size and thicknesses, with quantities per thickness;
- face grade if you have a preference;
- whether you also need solid Okoume lumber or veneer;
- destination port.
A mixed container of plywood and solid timber is common for boat yards and furniture makers. Our export process page explains each step.
Common buying mistakes
- Trusting the word “marine” alone: always ask which standard the panel meets.
- Ignoring weight: for small craft, a heavier species can spoil performance.
- Leaving edges unsealed: water enters through cut edges first.
- Storing sheets badly: store flat, off the ground and under cover.
Other lightweight African timbers
If you are also sourcing light timber for mouldings or interior parts, look at Ayous, Frake (Limba) and Ilomba. They are all in our plywood and lightweight timber range.
A short history of Okoume in boat building
Okoume was first exported from Gabon in large quantities in the early 20th century, mainly to France. European plywood mills soon found that its big, round logs peeled into wide, even veneers better than almost any other wood. By the middle of the century, Okoume plywood had become the standard for light boats, racing dinghies and later for home-built kayaks and canoes. Today many classic boat plans still name Okoume BS 1088 in their material lists.
Face grades explained
Plywood face veneers are graded by how many visible defects they contain. Grade names vary between mills, but the idea is the same everywhere. The top grade has a clear, uniform face for varnished work, where the wood shows. A middle grade allows small, well-made patches and colour variation, fine for painted or epoxy-coated surfaces. The back face is often one grade lower than the front. For a varnished kayak deck, ask for the best face. For a hull that will be painted, a middle grade saves money without reducing strength.
Weight per sheet
Weight is the main reason boat builders choose Okoume. As a guide, a 2,500 × 1,220 mm sheet of Okoume plywood weighs approximately:
| Thickness | Okoume (approx.) | Meranti (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 mm | 6–7 kg | 7–8 kg |
| 6 mm | 9–10 kg | 11–12 kg |
| 9 mm | 14–15 kg | 17–18 kg |
| 12 mm | 18–20 kg | 22–24 kg |
| 18 mm | 27–30 kg | 33–36 kg |
Actual weight depends on the mill, the glue and moisture content. Over a whole boat, the difference can easily add up to tens of kilograms.
Working with Okoume plywood
Okoume plywood is pleasant to work. It cuts cleanly with a fine-toothed saw, sands easily and takes epoxy very well. A few tips from boat builders we supply:
- Score the face veneer with a knife before cutting across the grain, to avoid tear-out.
- Use a sharp router bit or a block plane on edges; the core is soft and can crush.
- Apply a first coat of thinned epoxy so it soaks well into the surface.
- Seal every screw hole with epoxy before fitting the screw.
- Protect epoxy from sunlight with paint or a UV-resistant varnish.
Thickness guide for small boats
As a starting point, many designers use 4 mm Okoume for kayak hulls and decks, 6 mm for canoe and dinghy hulls, 9 mm for bulkheads and seats, and 12–18 mm for transoms and motor mounts. Always follow your boat plans first. The designer has calculated the thickness for the loads your boat will meet.
Storing plywood before use
Plywood that is stored badly can warp before you even start. Keep sheets flat on several level bearers, in a dry, covered space, away from direct sunlight and heaters. Cover the top sheet so dust and moisture stay off the faces. Let the plywood acclimatise in your workshop for a few days before you cut it.
Okoume veneer for furniture makers
Besides plywood, we supply sliced and rotary-cut Okoume veneer. Furniture and door makers use it to face panels and to make their own curved laminations. Its even colour and mild grain take stains well, so it can be finished to match more expensive woods.
Sources
- Aucoumea klaineana (Okoume) on Wikipedia
- Marine plywood on Wikipedia
- CIRAD Tropix for technical data on Okoume.
Related guides
- Buy African Okoume wood
- Best wood for marine construction
- Iroko vs teak
- Best wood for sauna
- How to import timber from Africa
Frequently asked questions about Okoume marine plywood
Is Okoume plywood waterproof?
The glue in BS 1088 Okoume plywood is waterproof, but the wood itself is not durable. Seal it with epoxy, paint or varnish.
Is Okoume better than Meranti for boats?
Okoume is lighter, which makes it the preferred choice for small boats, kayaks and canoes. Meranti is slightly harder and more durable.
What does BS 1088 mean?
It is a British Standard for marine plywood, covering species, waterproof glue, veneer quality and the absence of core gaps.
Can I order Okoume plywood with Okoume lumber?
Yes. Mixed containers of plywood, veneer and solid Okoume are common.
Get a quote for Okoume
Send sheet sizes, thicknesses and quantities through our quote form. We will reply with price, availability and shipping options to your port.