Hatteras Coring

[Tinman]

When did Hatteras stop using balsa coring in the hull sides and topside? Also, when did they stop using wood in the stringers?

 

[Boatsb]

I don't believe there was ever wood in the stringers.

They built a few hulls with core and repaired most if not all of them.

Topside is another story.

 

[Tinman]

Have read numerous threads on wet balsa coring above the water line mostly due to leaks around penetrations and screws. Seems, I read here about a refit having wet wood in stringers, could have been on a different builder?

 

[saltshaker]

Have read numerous threads on wet balsa coring above the water line mostly due to leaks around penetrations and screws. Seems, I read here about a refit having wet wood in stringers, could have been on a different builder?

Never had wood stringers and only cored hullsides above the waterline and any hull penetrations. There were a few 41c II and 46c III that had cored bottoms but only a few of each

 

[Tinman]

Never had wood stringers and only cored hullsides above the waterline and any hull penetrations. There were a few 41c II and 46c III that had cored bottoms but only a few of each

Ok, so no wood encapsulated in the stringers...which is good. When did they change from balsa to foam coring above the water line?

 

[bobk]

Ok, so no wood encapsulated in the stringers...which is good. When did they change from balsa to foam coring above the water line?

Foam does not rot.
Bobk

 

[Tinman]

Foam does not rot.
Bobk

Yes, and is why I ask which year model did Hatteras change to foam coring. My last Hatteras had foam coring and was rock solid...but was a 2002 model. We have been looking at some older models as early as 1988 but want to stay away from any wood coring if possible. We have had two prior boats that had wood coring problems and prefer foam coring. I know balsa makes a very strong layup but susceptible to water intrusion from various sources and prefer a foam core.

 

[SeaEric]

Call SAM's and talk to Steve. He will know. I had a 1991 52 CPMY for sale a few times and it was foam.

 

[Tinman]

Call SAM's and talk to Steve. He will know. I had a 1991 52 CPMY for sale a few times and it was foam.

Thanks

 

[spartonboat1]

Please note the presence of foam under and on the side of the engine stringers. That foam is present only from when it was use for forming the stringers, and served no purpose, as soon as the stringers resin set up, as I understand it.

Regarding the balsa coring, if it gets out of control, it will be evident by "soft spots". It is quite hard, as long as it is not rotted. I just went crazy last year and did most of my Flying Bridge. Sorry, but if you own one of these Hatt's for 20 years, decisions are not rational, but emotional- oh, you knew that? The PO had removed and glassed over the hatch to the bridge. Grrr #1. He had his truck Mechanics (he owned a trucking firm) do the work and I found different piece of crap wood, under the fiberglas Grrr #2.

I removed all the bad coring and replaced with Coosa Board- non-rotting and used on commercial fishing boats, among other types of boats. Very solid now. Best its ever been!