I buy FRP at truck body repair shops, or diretly from truck box manufacturers like Supreme or Morgan.
Some alternative options to marine plywood for water-resistant applications include fiber cement board, plastic lumber, and composite materials like fiberglass-reinforced plastic. These materials offer similar durability and water resistance as marine plywood but may have different cost and installation requirements.
You could laminate it with fiberglass weave with a strong adhesive (polyester).
spruce
Every insulation has a different R value. It ultimately is determined by which insulation you will be using. Now lets do rough estimate. 4" thick, regular fiberglass mat has R-value of 13. Assuming that plywood has the same to half the insulating value of fiberglass, 1/2" plywood would have 1/8 to 1/16 of R-value of that 4" mat. Roughly R-1.6 to R-0.8
The general practice, is to leave the underside of plywood decking bare, as this allows the wood to breathe, and be able to dry out. When using treated, or marine grade plywood, only one side, usually the top side, is sealed.
A galvanized steel wall is superior to plywood. A fiberglass (polymer) wall is far superior to both. Good luck with your pool.
Historically, the best wood for ANY boat was: Whatever was most available. Various types of plywood coated with fiberglass is an excellent choice.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cutting-out-a-fiberglass-bathtub has advice on how to cut out a fiber glass bathtub by yourself. Be sure to follow their safety tips like having gloves. Diamond blades, power saws, appropriate clothing and safety gear are essential when you want to cut fiberglass. Use a of a piece of scrap plywood as the base for cutting and use fiberglass power trimmers when cutting fiberglass panels. You can know much information and details about fiberglass cutting at the link: http://www.ehow.com/how_4449106_cut-fiberglass.html;
A lighter weight option than plywood would be medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or particle board. These materials are made from wood fibers or particles compressed together with resin, resulting in a denser and smoother finish compared to plywood. They are commonly used in furniture and cabinetry for their affordability and easy workability.
Skimboards are typically made from materials such as wood, fiberglass, or foam. Wooden skimboards are often crafted from layers of plywood for durability, while fiberglass boards feature a foam core wrapped in fiberglass for a lightweight and sturdy design. Some advanced models use composite materials for enhanced performance and flexibility. The choice of material can affect the board's buoyancy, speed, and maneuverability.
There are 48 plywood manufacturing plants, as well as 17 wooden board factories in Mexico. Most of them are found on the northern states of Durango (23%) and Chihuahua (19%), and the eastern state of Campeche (10%).