The Deck 'Job'

[dasein668]

What wasn't apparent, until this morning, was the fact that someone has removed nearly all of the coring from the forward decks!

Are you positive that this is the case? Is it possible that the decks were recored with something that would allow light to come through in this way? I'm thinking specifically of Nida-Core or similar... Just a thought.

[Tony G]

Positive? No.

Given the work that I've dicovered so far on my journey, I never would have expected something as advanced as Nida-Core. So far this seems to be a plywood and silicon boat.

What are the characteristics of Nida-Core (and others) insitu? I guess some exploratory holes are in order... I'll definitly post the findings if I can figure out what I find. Tony G

[dasein668]

Nida is a plastic honey-comb material. Makes for strong lightweight core material, and is probably more rot/delam resistant, although I would still take LOTS of care to keep water out of the decks.

Nida Core Website

[ebb]

Hey Tony,
Original coring was balsa endgrain between a top and bottom of glass. It's possible that this composite is stiffer than solid laminations of glass and plastic, but in no way stronger. If you have 1/2 to 5/8s inch solid laminate, you can land jet fighters on it. I wouldn't quibble except for the weight factor. It sure is the correct deck for anchor work.

Seems to me that pvc foam cores would transmit light thru if the gelcoats and/or paint was removed. Haven't tested this out. But sunny amber colors do show thru where repairs and thruhulls have been plugged on 338, and have not been topcoated.

May I suggest the scientific approach? Clear the decks of all current projects and stomp the hell out of it. Might cheat and land with your hells when you jump. Repair holes with favorite modern overpriced materials.

Epoxy likes to stick to pvc foam. But I have not ever seen the tenacity that polyester and glass has for end grain balsa. When you isolate balsa from moisture it's a grand strong deck. The parts of the deck that survived Pearson piercings in the way of track and hardware are still going strong after all these decades.

[Tony G]

Ebb,
For the last two weeks I've been hunting around for the stem fitting. I have no idea on how I could have been so idiotic as to lose it. I thought I nailed it down yesterday. In the rafters above the boat. Nope. While I was up there and mad to boot I figured I'd have nothing to lose...so I tried your scientific approach. Happy to report she's sound as a Pound.

Still confused, Tony G