Chuck Gould wrote:
On Nov 5, 2:51?am, HK wrote:

I'm sure Chuck will tell us of the virtues of balsa as a core material.
I wouldn't even consider buying a boat with a balsa core. I also don't
buy into the boat broker b.s. that osmosis blistering is no big deal.
Those guys will do anything to move used boats. I don't want a boat
whose bottom is as pustuled and pockmarked as a $3.00 whore.

In specific locations, balsa is a fine coring material. I don't like
to see it below the waterline. It has been used very successfully for
decks, cabin tops, etc. Balsa is rapidly being replaced by better
materials that won't absorb water, and some of the most respected
brand names core the entire hull. Cabin soles are commonly cored with
Nidacor these days, but that was an application where balsa was
commonly used and seldom a problem in the past.


You get water entry anywhere near balsa and the balsa starts to rot.
Simple as that. Got balsa under your fiberglass deck? Got a joint
anywhere that lets in water? Loose machine screw not properly sealed?
You got balsa rot under your fiberglass deck.


They overriding principle is that a boat should be well made, with
structural integrity that exceeds the most stringent demands ever
likely to be placed upon it.

Yeah, well, stuff happens out in the real world.



As for blisters, here are some comments from a marine surveyor who
hates brokers and the marine industry in general almost as much as you
do. :-)

As I said, if you want to buy a used boat with as many pustules and
pockmocks on her bottom as a $3 whore...go for it.