Where to get materials in Boston area

[Locke N Load]

I am planning on redoing the transom with Coosa (open to suggestions on alternatives), deck with Divinycell (open to suggestions on alternatives) with vinyl ester resin (open to suggestions on alternatives) and replacing the tank (aluminum only).
Where in the Boston area can I find the materials and any suggestions on a tank builder? I am assuming shipping on 4x8 sheets is ridiculous so wondering if there are any local suppliers.
Thanks

[Gurnet76]

I would recommend checking out Defender. It's down in CT but the prices could make the trip worth it.
https://www.defender.com/warehouseoutletstore.jsp
They usually do a big sale in March.

On the South Shore I use New England Marine Industrial(Brant Rock) (and occasionally West Marine) for those types of products.

As far as a tank builder, it depends on what you need. For a welder to create a tank to spec I've heard others have used Kent Fabrication and Fastech Marine Fabricating.

I haven't had to cross that bridge just yet but would be interested to hear other's recommendations.

[otterhound]

I get some of my supplies from LBI in Groton but there's also Mertons up near you.
Rod

http://www.lbifiberglass.com

http://www.mertons.com/index.html

[Water Rat]

For your tank and any metal fabrication I highly recommend KentFab (Eric Kent) in Pembroke, MA. Does beautiful work, very fair prices and good guy to do business with.

[erebus]

New England Propeller in Plymouth, despite the misleading name makes fabulous tanks. (They primarily do prop work, but will also build tanks and repair skegs, lower units etc.)

I have had them do many custom one-offs. Some from a scabby drawing done by a boatyard monkey (me) on the back of a cardboard box!
Welds are beautiful.
Not the cheapest around, but you really get what you pay for.
Worth it for a top notch tank.

[Locke N Load]

Thanks for the leads everyone.

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by otterhound

I get some of my supplies from LBI in Groton but there's also Mertons up near you.
Rod

http://www.lbifiberglass.com

http://www.mertons.com/index.html

Saw some sheets of composite in Mertons.He said he is starting to get more and more calls for it. He's in Springfield Ma..about an hour and a half or so from Boston.He'can get any size and density and is pretty competitive on pricing.He also has sheets of divinicil. In stock.

[Ed]

Locke & Loaded-

We use Hamilton Marine for our COOSA . They have a van that delivers to us almost every day of the week.

KentFab in Pembroke can also make you a tank. In fact, they made one for my father in law who lives down the street.

Also Atlantic Coastal Welding in NJ will design, fabricate and deliver a tank to a business address via motor freight. We use them for 99% of the tank jobs in our yard.

Glad to help out with any questions.

[Locke N Load]

Unfortunately, the closest Hamilton Marine is about 2.5 hours from me. I am strongly leaning towards Meranti for the transom and deck. Sealed in epoxy and biax and I am sure it will be good to go. I am hoping this weekend I will be able to get some time in to cut out the soft spots and take some measurements.

[Bigshrimpin]

see if you can setup an account a composites one and buy during will call hours. You can probably get 5gallon pails of vinylester from the Bristol location. I used to buy iso polyester and vinylester pails from the west sacramento location, but each location is different. Also check your PM's for a 20sf listed for sale. I bought two 3/4" 4x8 penske board sheets from composites one in bristol. If I were you I would just use acx plywood from home cheapo or splurge for marine ply from BoulterPlywood in Medford. It'll be good for another 30 years.

http://www.boulterplywood.com/MarinePlywood_4.htm