Balsa core hulls

[nodigg]

Oaky, so I got one. People say that is a good thing. Now tell me why.
Stronger? Truer? Lighter? What.

[ratso]

Oaky, so I got one. People say that is a good thing. Now tell me why.
Stronger? Truer? Lighter? What.
Strong til it delaminates and/or gets water in it, then the wood rots away like cancer.

[nodigg]

Strong til it delaminates and/or gets water in it, then the wood rots away like cancer.
Till or IF?

[nodigg]

And another thing, cheaper to build or more expensive?

[ratso]

That would be better to ask a builder, but I'm sure cheaper to build. I think they hold up better in saltwater, but freshwater plays hell on them. I have yet to see one that didn't have some rot damage, but then you really can't compare boats in this area to the better quality stuff found on the west coast.

[spectras only]

If I would want to go for a composite hull , I'd choose a foam core hulled boat like Fountain . I've seen balsa cored boats waterlogged , caused by reckless owners drilling/ screwing things into stringers etc...
Water travels and rots the balsa like cancer. I think balsa coring was intended for racing sailboats for lightness and strength origionally . If you hit a submerged object , a heavy lay up hand rolled FG hull would fare better , not puncturing the hull through as easy . Baja had used balsa coring for some time , and they learned the hard way to reinforce the newer hulls with Kevlar I think .They had to many delamination claims as well . Friend of mine just sold his 1998 29 Outlaw , that needed extensive hull repair after he hit 4 foot roller at our local Pokerrun 2 years ago , ripping the stringers out by inertia . He was in the same snot I was . I like the Baja hulls with no steps and for handling rough seas , but there are to many negatives coming from owners who never would buy a Baja again :idea: . I like ther new models with the new graphics , so I'm not flaming them :)

[nodigg]

Good stuff, anyone else?

[HPBoats83]

If I'm not mistaken I think Lavey is doing Bolsa and so is Warlock. Those are 2 very good name's in the industry.

[Xlration Marine]

I used it in the 18' tunnel that I built. In each sponson and the across tthe floor. Core mat in the deck. This was a true tunnel not a pickle fork. A coring material is used to save weight. You need something or your just building up a bunch of glass the achive the same stiffnes, and glas is very heavy with all that extra resin as well. And the balsa will soak up the resin when being layed, unlike ply wood.

[Racey]

Water belongs on the outside of the boat guys, not the inside :D Keep the thing dry inside and you will have no problem, that means tell the kids and old lady not to jump in soaking wet, Many of the schiadas we have done have balsa core and if you keep treat the boat nice and have the thing rigged properly they will last forever.

[Havasu_Dreamin]

I used it in the 18' tunnel that I built. In each sponson and the across tthe floor. Core mat in the deck. This was a true tunnel not a pickle fork. A coring material is used to save weight. You need something or your just building up a bunch of glass the achive the same stiffnes, and glas is very heavy with all that extra resin as well. And the balsa will soak up the resin when being layed, unlike ply wood.
That's it right there. There are different types of coring materials that can be used as well. Baltek Balsa (http://www.baltek.com/alcan/acsites.nsf/pages_accm3_en/index.htm!Open&p=prod_balsa_sb&m=4&type=.htm), Decolite (http://www.baltek.com/alcan/acsites.nsf/pages_accm3_en/index.htm!Open&p=prod_sand_decolite&m=4&type=.htm), and Diab foam (http://www.diabgroup.com/europe/products/e_prods_2.html) to name a few. Using these materials add to the cost but it is worth it. These are a prime example of not every boat being built the same way as "it's all just glass and resin".....Yeah, not really.....

[Big Inch]

My boat was made using a lot of balsa and foam. Seems to be holding up very well so far. Also makes for a real pretty engine compartment if it's done right and laminated up real nice :D

[nodigg]

Water belongs on the outside of the boat guys, not the inside :D Keep the thing dry inside and you will have no problem, that means tell the kids and old lady not to jump in soaking wet, Many of the schiadas we have done have balsa core and if you keep treat the boat nice and have the thing rigged properly they will last forever.
I guess that means I shouldn't use the onboard misters anymore..........

[73kona455]

when done right it is very strong and very light...:)

[Big Warlock]

Lighter, stronger and more expensive.
No problem wih water if boat is built correct.
Do Not drill on the hull and you will be fine. Biggest mistake is people drill holes to add something and get water intrusion.
Warlock and LAvey do build boats with Balsa Cores.

[yamamoto]

Although not a "***boat", cobalt's use a fiberglass stringer, with a kevlar reinforced hull, but these hulls were never built for speed, just durability.

[40FlatDeck]

My Skater is Balsa, epoxy, kevlar. I ended up replacing the last 4 feet of the chines that ride on the bunks. Both sides, 3 inches by 4 feet. I treated the balsa with a product called Rot Doctor so if the Kevlar was compromised again the water would not soak in.
When I purchased the boat I knew it was there and after the fix I am very confident the problem is solved.
Read up on high end boat building and it's about a 50/50 choice between balsa and foam coring.