Cored Areas?

G

ggray

New member
Hi,
Looking at a 22 Cruiser for possible purchase, and want to know what parts of the hull are balsa cored.

I thought I had read somewhere that the entire bottom was cored, but can't find that statement now.

Is the transom cored?

I suppose there are critical areas...keel, chines, transom attachment, and location for motor(s)...that might be solid 'glass.

Are there any places that these boats are more likely to have core problems? I have read here a couple of accounts of core repairs, but there were probably others I didn't see.

Thanks for any guidance!
 
This is my limited understanding, wait for (un)confirmation from more knowledgeable members.

Transom is cored with (marine) plywood
bottom of hull is cored with balsam to somewhere in mid-cabin.
 
RobLL is correct... Also panels such as the forward cabin bulkhead (dash area), the gunnels, bow deck and the aft cabin bulkhead are also cored with balsa.
These boats are great and hold up well unless someone drills a hole, mounts something to the boat in the cored area and fails to seal the hole properly with epoxy before the fastener is ever adhered to the hull, to prevent water intrusion into the crevasse over time.
My new to me 26 had over 30 areas that had dampness in the core around a mounted object. Most of these were done by the (Cape Cruiser) factory. My 22 had a few and they were also done at the factory. All of these issues were address by me as soon as I got the boat. They were all minor fixes, aside from the time it took to correct these deficiencies.
Before I purchased my 22, I was also concerned about buying balsa cored boat. I have gotten over my concern 13 years ago and would buy another C-Dory tomorrow after insuring there was no major core issues with a through survey.
PS, I do my own surveys, so I am confident when I purchase a boat, that it has no major issues...
 
The balsa core in the bottom stops right where the forward V berth bulkhead begins. Neither of the forward bulkheads are structural.

You really have to say that the entire deck is cored--as is most of the cabin top--it varies as to which part is on the 22 by years. Rare to see any issue in cabin top.

The problems have been mostly where there was a boat kept out in the weather. in freezing temperatures. This is where the major core issues have been found. Boats in AK a few. in BC, and some in the NE have has some core problems. But as others noted they are actually rare, and small in areas.

As Steve has done, with each boat I have acquired (including the new Tom Cat) I have looked at areas where there is potential water intrusion, pulled the fasteners, and filled with thickened epoxy then re done the screw or fitting.

The testimony to the construction is that 99.9 % of all of the boats are still being used. The only ones "scrapped" were a couple where there was a major factory defect, a couple destroyed by being badly damaged by caught in surf on rocks or shore--and hit on a trailer--most of these have been rebuilt and restored.

Inherently there is nothing wrong with balsa core--it is still one of the best core materials, it has to be properly sealed.
 
It depends on what year and what model you are looking at. Currently, the 22 Cruiser is still made with balsa core. If you buy a C-Dory made from Northwest Marine Industries in Fairhaven, Wa. and it is 23 Venture or 26 Venture, it will have a high density composite core and no balsa whatsoever. The 23 Venture Sport which is a more basic model does have balsa in the core and costs less.
 
Thank you for all the good information!

I own a balsa cored sailboat so understand that as long as penetrations are done properly there should be no problem. Drill-fill-drill!

I just want to know where to look in case there is a problem. Not that I have any doubts of C-Dories!

Hope I'll be owning one fairly soon.
 
I just want to know where to look in case there is a problem. Not that I have any doubts of C-Dories!
Click to expand...

In the 22's the older boats have screws holding the straps over the fuel tank and the fascia on the after end of the cockpit into the core. Newer boats have fiberglass or wooden strips molded into the boat, so any screws don't go into the core. Around any hatch or opening, any deck fitting area areas to look at.
 
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