Do you still have this boat? I have one section of lap strate that I need to replace that is about 12" or so and am looking to get some original wood if possible.
Pete Burrs
Lake Dubay, WI
1959 Cruiser Holiday 250
The original plywood was marine grade douglas fir with a outer surface which was covered in a material like our current MDF, or a paper type covering to give it a smooth surface for painting.
Currently you will need to find a marine plywood of either a mahogany or simular type wood and seal the surface with a farring compound to give you a smooth surface for painting.
Andreas may be able to let you know what he has used to replace strakes. I myself do not have any boats with lap strake construction.
The 1959 boats will not have the paper overlay on the plywood surfaces. Cruisers, Inc. starting using that material about 1962.
The plywood for the painted surfaces was Douglas fir (obviously marine garde). The stained and varnished plywood was Philippine mahogany. It is very easy to tell the difference.
It's tough to find either these days. Okume or meranti marine plywood are acceptable.
Did you have your Thompson Falg flying at Half Mast while this was happening?
It is always sad to see an old boat go down this way or the way of the burn pile. If someone had just put a little TLC into it some year back it would still be going strong.