I have a couple soft spots in my cockpit deck near the fuel tank sight glasses that need to be taken care of. I assume that the best choice would be to use balsacore for replacing the rotted wood except for around the site glasses which would be FRP. I have also seen where some of you have used marine plywood for this purpose. Which is better? Here in western Illinois I don't know of any suppliers of either balsacore or marine plywood. Do any of you know of a source reasonably close by? Thanks.
Dwayne
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Thread: Balsacore
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06-12-2006 08:44 AM #1Senior Member
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Balsacore
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Re: Balsacore
Marine plywood is stronger but WAY heavier.
I used plywood for the pulpit area replacement when I did that area, mostly because I didn't care about the weight but DID want it VERY strong - that's a potential risk area if you ever need to anchor out for a serious blow, and the last thing you want is the front of the boat coming off during a hurricane - wrecking you when you would otherwise successfully survive it!
I ordered the marine plywood I used and had it sent to me. Expensive (the freight was almost as much as the wood!) but in the grand scheme of things not all that bad. Two sheets cost me something like $200, all-up and delivered, and I've still got one complete sheet left in my garage if someone needs it and can come get it....http://www.denninger.net - Home page with blog links and more
http://market-ticker.org - The Market Ticker
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Re: Balsacore
Like Karl said for a pulpit or area near by Plywood is what you want. But if you are just replacing a deck I use Nida core instead of balsa nice to work with and will never break down like balsa go to http://www.nida-core.com/english/index.htm You may find someone near you just call them they will help you out.
Dan
End Of The Line II
1967 34C
EOTL II Rebuild Web Page
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06-12-2006 11:56 PM #4
Re: Balsacore
The reason they use balsa is the end grained blocks soak up the resin and the bond is awesome. The deck of my racing sailboat is closed cell foam. I spend lots of time re-bonding it by drilling a line of holes and injecting epoxy. While closed cell foam won't rot or let water in, it also doesn't bond well. End grained balsa is light and bonds well. Just keep the water out. I don't think plywood is a good material for a core as it has its own lamination problems and the resin can't penetrate the plywood as well as balsa.
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Re: Balsacore
Originally Posted by Maynard Rupp
nida core is extremely nice to work with and makes an exceptional choice. however if you're not into bagging and the area for repair is small you might simply consider using a chopped fiber paste to fill the area being repaired.
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06-14-2006 08:42 AM #6Senior Member
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Re: Balsacore
Thanks guys. I will probably go with the balsacore again. I think that once I get the core replaced and the point(s) of intrusion sealed that it should be ok. I liked the comments about the end grain balsa absorbing the epoxy and laminating to the frp better as opposed to problems with other core materials.
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Re: Balsacore
I liked the comments about the end grain balsa absorbing the epoxy and laminating to the frp better as opposed to problems with other core materials.
While closed cell foam won't rot or let water in, it also doesn't bond well.Dan
End Of The Line II
1967 34C
EOTL II Rebuild Web Page
><(((º>´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(( (( º>¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸¸><(((º>