Wood free construction?

[motownbob]

I'm looking at purchasing a new wac in the very new future.I have noticed that many are listed as wood free, which sounds like a really good thing. However, the Mako's are wood free except for a "balsa cored " deck. I wonder if this would be a potential rot problem down the road. i plan on keeping this boat for ten years. Any one out there with older Mako's that can tell me about there boats? Bob

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Wood free construction?

The deck is sealed pretty well so it should last you longer than 10 years ...

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Wood free construction?

As long as you used proper methods for screwing down any aditions you will be fine. If you don't do it right you will have problems down the road. West System has a good book on the proper ways to do it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Wood free construction?

Unfortunately over the life of a boat people drill holes in decks to screw things into. The next owner gets to fix the rot.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wood free construction?

Ayuh,.........

Balsa Core is a Great Composite,.......... Many manufacturers do it Right.......

It's the Abuses inflicted Later, that are it's Downfall.........

At least the Rot doesn't Spread too fast,..... That's where the End-Grain helps.......

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Wood free construction?

Has anyone ever seen balsa wood rot?

Mark

 

[tommays]

Re: Wood free construction?

If you look into better boats you will find the balsa core is common above the waterline

If they dont do wood right they will still do things wrong with NON -WOOD

And even a ALL glass boat can still get blisters

Tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wood free construction?

Has anyone ever seen balsa wood rot?

Mark

Ayuh,............

It turns to Dust,....... Just like Any other Wood...............

The Decks,+ Cockpit Sole of my Old Town Atlantis is Balsa Cored,..........

It seems that it was Done Right,+ Not Abused,.......
No Rot found anywhere,.......... Yet.............

Unlike a Hi-Liner 222 that's in the boat barn,........
The Cockpit Sole of that boat is 2 pieces of Fiberglass,+ Nothing between them,......
Just alittle bit of Dust,+ a few Fibers of Balsa.............

I think Nobody sealed Any of the holes put in it........

Btw,..........
Both boats are 1973s.................

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Wood free construction?

Okayeeeee. I just thought that it was the residue left from rotten wood.....hence if already rotted, how could it "rot".

Just curious. Thanks,

Mark

 

[tommays]

Re: Wood free construction?

The Magic of Bacteria



Tommays

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Wood free construction?

Ok tom......if you say so. d

Mark

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Wood free construction?

Actually, I rot is caused by a fungus. There was a rotten balsa cored cockpit sole in a Chris Craft I just restored. It looked more like mud than dust when I cut it open. Keeo it dry and it won't rot.