Re Coring with foam

Henry, Don't think foam is legal for a Scot. If the racing powers that be find out, I'm guessing that the boat would be disqualified. I'm sure the racers will chime in here. Furthermore, I've heard recently that foam coring is not necessarily the cure all for bad coring jobs. Seems to me that I read recently if water gets into a foam core, you can get separation and delamination of the core too. Thus the rigidity of the hull is compromised. I had my floor recored by Dennis Dieball, who used to work on building Customflex Scots in his younger days. He knows how the boats are put together, has a lot of experience with fiberglass, and also happens to be a hell of a good sailor. He used small blocks of balsa that come webbed together in larger squares of one foot or so. Kind of like small bathroom tile. The original way is to hand lay 2x3inch blocks of balsa in fiberglass resin and then glass over them. Wonder how the new ones are made? If you were to switch to foam, then why not throw in some carbon for a bit stiffer hull and more strength. Then you could also.... I think the class works hard to keep the boat as original as possible, so you are not feeling that you have to go outspend the next guy to have the latest in fibers and technology. Everyone's technology is the same.

Hi To see how to recore go to this web site : www3.sympatico.ca/dompou I did it myself and you can see pictures of the job. Balsa core can be buy in sheet of 2 feet x 4 feet . Small block of endgrained balsa 2x2 inches are kept together by a tissu canevas Good luck

With the explosion of new technology in boat manufacture all kinds of high-tech materials are out there to replace/improve structural components, and coring materials is but one. Balsa has been replaced in upper end racers by epoxy honeycombs, Kevlar balloons, Tricore, NidaCore, etc. All will perform as well or better, depending on the technique of the installer, and all will carry the pain of price...with a capital P, followed by a few wailings and gnashing of teeth as legal tender is rended from your person. Given some investigation enough balsa 1/2" coring to do your entire Scot can be found for around $250. The key to any recore is prep, careful planning, and solid glass work to ensure the repair is integral and watertight. Balsa will last indefinently if no water is introduced and structural integrity is insured. High-tech materials may be lighter and less susceptible to water degradation, but are not class-legal. Further, a bottom full of water is heavier and slower regardless of the material that holds it. Sandy Douglas was decades ahead when the design was drawn, the design remains perfect. Keep it simple, keep it strong, and enjoy the fruits. Sail on and grin!