determining hull composition

[phileepo]

So I just got an older ski boat which is in great shape. However I read these things on the site about rotting wood inside the fiberglass. Now my boat is an 84 and the people I got it from think it is completely fiberglass although not certain. How do I find out if my boat has balsa or foam inside it or if it is entirely fiberglass. Since it is an older boat, if it was all fiberglass, wouldnt that be a good thing, other than being heavy, since it couldnt rot out?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: determining hull composition

you will have floatation foam, and most likely wood in the stringers, transom, etc. depending on the boat, the outer skin could be 3/8" balsa core

 

[Chris1956]

Re: determining hull composition

You should be able to tell if it is balsa core. If the hull is more than 1/2" thick, it may be cored. Not a lot of boats of your size were cored. Foam floatation is required fo all boats under 20', but in practice most boats under 25' have it.

I think it would be unusual for your boat to be wood-free. Some brands were, however. What have you got?

 

[phileepo]

Re: determining hull composition

You should be able to tell if it is balsa core. If the hull is more than 1/2" thick, it may be cored. Not a lot of boats of your size were cored. Foam floatation is required fo all boats under 20', but in practice most boats under 25' have it.

I think it would be unusual for your boat to be wood-free. Some brands were, however. What have you got?

It is a Sierra with a 165 hp mercruiser inboard. I have been trying to find out more about the boat online and in these forums but nobody replies when I talk about the boat specifically. Sierra is a company from WI. I will attach a picture.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: determining hull composition

call Sierra http://www.sierraboats.com/