Deck Delamination / Core Problems

[mbd]

Hey 3rdman,

FWIW, I'd go with MikeG's 40+ years experience and use a foam core. My side decks are plenty stiff with the Corecell.

Agreed: properly mounted hardware etc. will keep the core dry, BUT, it's hard, nigh impossible to keep all water out 100% of the time. No telling where it'll come in, mounted hardware, port light frames, a hastily drilled fastener...  It's nice knowing that no matter how badly I mount/seal my hardware, the deck core will NEVER rot again.

As to scarfing, my 2 cents. Cutting the skins first is the way to go. A lot of mine were still adhered to the core, and it would have been impossible to separate them without breaking had they been pre-scarfed. Also, a clean cut line gives you a nice reference for doing the nasty grinding for the scarf joints after the skins have been glued back on.

Doh! Capt Ebb's reply just came in. Hope I don't contradict his wisdom...

PS. Then there's Craig's post above - I'd like to have seen pics and have more detailed info on his POs recore/repair.  All sorts of opinions out there...

[tha3rdman]

Ebb & Mbd,

   Thanks the balsa is in route, the price was too good to pass up, I'll make sure I designate a photographer for "in progress" pics, even if its the seven year old swabby. As for epoxy, I'm likely getting the epoxyproducts premium no blush.

I'll keep ya posted.

[mbd]

Just to revisit this thread, here is what a section of deck looks like with a Corecell core.

[ebb]

M'sieur, I'd like a half dozen of those with a little dijon
and a bottle of your finest grand cru red.