replacement for balsa
 

I have some water-damaged 1" vertical end-grain balsa core in my
fiberglass deck. What is the best replacement material available?
Criteria for "best" are 1) suitability for blue water cruising
sailboat, and 2) thermal insulation factor. Cost of material, while
important, is probably not a factor, after all the labor of removing
all deck fittings, opening up the deck sandwich, routing out the wet
balsa, and then re-glassing. Thanks, Steve L.

'Baltek ContourKore' if you want a balsa product. 'Core-Cell' for a polymer
foam. Look at defender.com for specifics.

There is also something called 'Klegicel" {spelling ?}.

Of course, this is like asking a bunch of rowdy sailors, "What's the BEST
rum ?". Stand back when you do, because the question will probably cause a
riot !!

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
{PS - Probably the *most important* factor is to make sure the remaining
substraight is BONE DRY before you seal ANYTHING between the deck &
overhead}

"Steve L." wrote in message
om...
I have some water-damaged 1" vertical end-grain balsa core in my
fiberglass deck. What is the best replacement material available?
Criteria for "best" are 1) suitability for blue water cruising
sailboat, and 2) thermal insulation factor. Cost of material, while
important, is probably not a factor, after all the labor of removing
all deck fittings, opening up the deck sandwich, routing out the wet
balsa, and then re-glassing. Thanks, Steve L.

"Steve L." writes:

I have some water-damaged 1" vertical end-grain balsa core in my
fiberglass deck. What is the best replacement material available?

These days that would be Divinycell foam.

Unless you buy a full case, don't have a heart attack when you get the
price.

You will also need epoxy fairing compound to lay down the foam.

If you have ever laid a tile floor, it's the same process.

Yes, it is a nasty job.

Yes, it will take at least twice as long as you estimate.

Yes it will cost more than you plan.

--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

Klegecell is a PVC foam , Core-cell is a polyurethane foam , it is not the
same , Airex is the polyurethane foam mostly used in boatbuilding . There
many kind of foam and they have different specification , it is really not
like rhum.

"Ron Magen" a écrit dans le message de
...
'Baltek ContourKore' if you want a balsa product. 'Core-Cell' for a
polymer
foam. Look at defender.com for specifics.

There is also something called 'Klegicel" {spelling ?}.

Of course, this is like asking a bunch of rowdy sailors, "What's the BEST
rum ?". Stand back when you do, because the question will probably cause a
riot !!

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
{PS - Probably the *most important* factor is to make sure the remaining
substraight is BONE DRY before you seal ANYTHING between the deck &
overhead}

"Steve L." wrote in message
om...
I have some water-damaged 1" vertical end-grain balsa core in my
fiberglass deck. What is the best replacement material available?
Criteria for "best" are 1) suitability for blue water cruising
sailboat, and 2) thermal insulation factor. Cost of material, while
important, is probably not a factor, after all the labor of removing
all deck fittings, opening up the deck sandwich, routing out the wet
balsa, and then re-glassing. Thanks, Steve L.

Core-Cell is styreneacrylonitrile. More detail at
http://www.atc-chem.com/Core_Cell/Core_cell.asp
I wouldn't be surprised if its sales volume has surpassed Airex and Klegecell.
It's very nice stuff to work with.

GIDE wrote:

Klegecell is a PVC foam , Core-cell is a polyurethane foam , it is not the
same , Airex is the polyurethane foam mostly used in boatbuilding . There
many kind of foam and they have different specification , it is really not
like rhum.

SNIP