Comparison of Starboard & Seaboard
Starboard and Seaboard are brands of marine board. Both are a type of plastic plywood which can be used in building things that are exposed to a lot of water such as boats and pool platforms. Both products claim not to rust, splinter, crack, rot, swell or delaminate. Starboard and Seaboard are both available in a variety of colors, and are UV-stabilized, which means the color won't fade in the sun.
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Starboard
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King Starboard refers to itself as the "original marine-grade polymer" on its website. It is made of FDA- and USDA-approved materials and is guaranteed to hold out in the nastiest maritime conditions. When purchasing King Starboard, you can choose by material, which includes high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon and acrylic cast; industry, such as marine, signage, display, aerospace or transportation; application including gaskets and seals; and design, meaning sheets, rods or tubings. Starboard is low maintenance and does not need to be painted or stained.
Seaboard
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Seaboard is high-density polyethylene-based (HDPE) material as well. The Modern Plastics website claims HDPE is the "toughest marine sheet on the market." The hardness allows the material to resist scratching. Like Starboard, Seaboard is FDA- and USDA-approved for food processing uses and it boasts of low maintenance and long-term durability.
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Applications
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Starboard can be used in building swim platforms, handrails, grab rails, steps, frames, trims, countertops and fish-cleaning tables. The anti-skid version of the product is recommended for use in showers and cockpits. It can be notched and bent. Seaboard can be used in constructing recreational boat items as well, including seats and benches, step and dock boxes, and frames and trim. It is also used in building playground equipment.
Considerations
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Marine board cannot be used to construct a boat hull. Buck Woodcraft claims on their website that marine board "needs to be supported by a load-bearing frame or substrate." The material expands and contracts with normal temperatures and will melt where temperatures exceed 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Both materials work like wood and when constructing with them, you use common wood tools. Both are also easy to clean. King Starboard is available in standard, anti-skid (AS), scratch-resistant (ST) and lightweight (XL) versions. Seaboard is available in standard, XL and nonskid.
Costs
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Prices vary depending on the size, color and product you desire. King Starboard offers a standard ¼-inch-thick sheet at $150, a 3/8-inch-thick sheet at $234 and a ½-inch-thick sheet at $308. The sheet measures 54 inches by 96 inches. U.S. Plastics carries standard Seaboard sheets measuring 48 inches by 96 inches at $91.93 for ¼-inch-thick, $183.84 for ½-inch-thick and $400.65 for ¾-inch-thick.
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References
- Photo Credit boat image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
