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About LinkBacksI am replacing the stringers in my 18' southwind, the boat originally came with 1/4 stringers and a floor. I am putting 12' stringers in the boat and I want to add balsa to the floors for the appearance and strength. How thick does it need to be?
balsa core, how thick and where to buy from?
I am replacing the stringers in my 18' southwind, the boat originally came with 1/4 stringers and a floor. I am putting 12' stringers in the boat and I want to add balsa to the floors for the appearance and strength. How thick does it need to be?
It is impossible for somebody to answer this question, as it depends on many other variables.
Where are you located? Are you adding to the existing wood in floor? I believe it's minimum thickness is 1/4".Originally Posted by bbfsouthwind
steveo143 AKA DiMarco 21 II
Now totally Green on E-85, saving the world one ear of corn at a time!
RIP Davey B and Denis
I am replacing all the wood in the boat and installing full stringers. I am going to gel coat in between the stringers and outside of the stringers I want to lay balsa. This boat will have no subfloor or anything like that, I want it to be as light and strong as possible as it will be a lake boat
Any chance of some pics ?
steveo143 AKA DiMarco 21 II
Now totally Green on E-85, saving the world one ear of corn at a time!
RIP Davey B and Denis
Make sure that you support the hull before you take the stringers out. You wouldn't want to tweek the hull
Want to thank those and you for your years of knowledge. "Books are the basis, words of experience are the tools".
Couldnt agree more Steve!
The Hull is sitting on a level 3 point mount setup with support on the rear outside corners and on the front at the keel. I will check them out, any tips on laying it?
great choice .....if you live on the West Coast .
Hey guy just where is your location , and once again could you post some pics , and take a straight edge to the bottom .......which will give you a general idea on .........how straight .........everything will be .....before you start the repair , and use that to your advantage ....to make adjustments to the hull , for your inital repair ...........because you could end up redoing the bottom ( blueprinting ) because of a hook , in the hull .
Last edited by OFFSHORE GINGER; 08-06-2011 at 04:43 PM.
I will try to get some pics here tomorrow, I plan on doing the bottom as soon as I am finished with the stringers and the bodywork on the top side and finish the capping.
1/4 end grain balsa core was used in my SWTD. Borrow a Table saw , and cut the edges of the balsa core on a 45, it gives a nice rolled edge to the BC when finished.
Upper Midwest Power Boat Association
DRAG BOAT RACING UMPBA #926
Or just block sand with 80 or 36 grit once its down, sands pretty easy. Typically, I dont worry about getting the floor too strait before putting the balsa down (Just the real gnarly high spots), typically I block it down and it tends to eliminate the high spots then clean, at least when you pre sand the balsa before laminating it over the top, you get all of the grime and dirt from the exposed wood, makes for a clean, more level surface to laminate over.
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