Foam core vs. Balsa

[daveoncudjoe]

I'm searching for a '25 and just got a bad survey on an '06 model that I was interested in. Did C-Dory ever switch to foam core and if so when? Thanks in advance.

 

[alainP]

Mine is a 2011 and has foam core.

 

[CPlay]

It was my understanding that all C-Dory 22 and 25 have always had balsa core. The Venture 23 and 26 have foam core and the Venture Sport 23 and 26 have balsa core. Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.

 

[DayBreak]

CPlay you are correct. Also, just this last May, Michael Millison from the factory at NMI told me that all new C-Dory models would soon be built with high density foam fill because the purchase cost of the material was actually cheaper to buy than balsa.

 

[CW8US]

Interesting, I was told just a month or two ago, also by Michael at C-Dory, that they have been foam core since NMI took over.

 

[DayBreak]

Our 2018 C-Dory 23 Venture Sport was definitely made of balsa core that we bought new from the factory in 2017.

 

[RobLL]

Is there any disadvantage to a foam core?

 

[thataway]

Is there any disadvantage to a foam core?

There are those who feel that there is less of a shear strenthy with foam in comparison to balsa--in some situations also the foam does not adhere as well to the resin component of the laminate. Foams can still have water intursion, migration, and delamination with freeze thaw cycles. If properly constructed, maintained and upgraded when new fastenings are applied balsa remains a good core material. I can remember one boat where the manufacturer was bragging about the advantages of the foam core---yet if you hit the dock or a piling, the foam he was using wad compressing under the relatively thing fiberglass material, and leaving a visable indentation along the hull, and cabin house.