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Balsa Alternative

Posted: Aug 9th, '10, 18:24
by ianupton
In my Bertram 20 project, the transom as seen below had the following layup:

The center 'pie' was two layers of plywood. This is a flat panel and will be replaced with Coosa Blue water 26.

The outer two section were cored with 3/4" Balsa with a layer of glass in between.

The outer two sections have some camber to them so it's not a flat panel.

Image

I have some T400 Corecell that seems it would take the bend nicely. Alternatively, I can cut the Coosa into 4"X4" squares and tile them in as shown here.

Image

If the T400 Core Cell is not dense enough, my options would be to get a higher density foam that is single or double cut or go the "Coosa Tile" route. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Thanks in advance,

Ian.

Posted: Aug 9th, '10, 21:41
by coolair
I am no expert, but if you look at some other post by Cap.t Pat
coosa has some that is scored already

Posted: Aug 10th, '10, 19:02
by Bruce
When we reinforced the opening around the blower on the funny car, we used divincel attached to unresined fiberglass. The divinicel was cut into 1/2 squares.

This allowed the material to take most any shape or angle I needed to follow. It was attached using thickened resin, the cracks were filled to add strength and then 3 layers of glass over that.

Before when lifting the body, it wanted to fold at the blower opening. After, it was solid and blended nicely.

Posted: Aug 11th, '10, 06:59
by RussP

Posted: Aug 11th, '10, 16:41
by ianupton
Thanks everyone. I tried to get the Coosa to take the small contour. Seems to fine with a little clamp pressure.

The transom already has a bunch of holes that will need to be faired out, so I thinking what's a couple more.

Planning on through bolt route like I did here.

Image

Ian.