advice - replace balsa core with ?????

[clockwork orange]

Every time this question comes up there is always someone who argues the strength advantages of balsa over foam which is completely irrelevant as the typical 80 -100 kg/m2 foams typically used in boat construction is more than adequate. Even the old polyurethane foam cores were perfectly adequate as long as the density was in that range. I have a section of foam cored cabin sole that I keep around as an example of how well foam can survive being completely saturated and then allowed to dry out. It was taken from a 1977 sailboat and appears to me to be polyurethane, zero decay, zero delam. Balsa would have been mush. That said there is nothing wrong with balsa if it can be kept dry, I have seen deck areas that are not fastener intensive on 40 years old boats that are perfect.

Steve.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Aaarrgh

Could you please offer a preferred source for the penetrating epoxy that you recommend, and maybe a preferred brand name?

Thankfully,
Aarrrgh!

Talk to the owners of a few Taiwan built trawlers with plywood core (compost) decks before you go that route.