It is a weak wood, with low decay resistance and moderate dimensional stability. The major use of gaboon is in the manufacture of
plywood. It is about 8–12% lighter than the other main
marine plywood,
meranti, that is commonly used in boatbuilding, but is not as stiff. This is useful when a boat design calls for tight-radius bends, such as near the bow in a single chine design, because of its flexibility. However, it does not resist impact damage as well as meranti. It is often sheathed in
epoxy resin to increase strength and give more impact and abrasion resistance, and to increase water resistance over conventional marine enamel paints. It is often used in sandwich construction with epoxy binder. Its attractive appearance means that it is often used decoratively as the top surface
veneer in panelling and furniture, or in solid form, in luxury items such as boxes for
cigars or other high-value items (e.g. audio equipment). Gaboon plywood is also used in the French aircraft industry to make light airplanes, such as those built by
Avions Robin. It was used extensively to manufacture the
Jodel range of aircraft, which are popular throughout Europe, but no longer factory-built. However, the wood's open grain, flexibility, and light weight make it a popular choice for amateur builders of Jodel aircraft to this day. In the form known as okoumé marine-grade plywood, it is considered perhaps the finest construction plywood now available for boats, especially where lighter weight is needed. It is widely available manufactured and certified to
British Standard 1088. Its users range from individual hobbyist
kayak builders to some of the world's largest boat builders. Most often it is used in combination with epoxy and
fiberglass, the combination giving a structure that can be stronger and lighter than plastic or fiberglass, rivaling the performance characteristics of more advanced composites such as
carbon fiber. The grain appearance is prized, likened to that of
mahogany, and is often varnished for a decorative appearance. When used for the backs and sides of high-end acoustic guitars, okoumé (or as it is known in the trade, akoumé) exhibits many of the tonal properties of maple. Guitars made with okoumé are noticeably lighter in weight than those made with mahogany or rosewood. The timber provides high
chatoyance, with an average value above 21 PZC. ==References==