9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Home
Bio
All Articles
Books
Order Books
Contact

Boat
Reviews
Buying
a Boat
Cores &
Structural Issues
Marine
Engines
Maintenance
& Repairs
Hull
Blisters
Marine
Surveying
Insurance
Issues
Fuel
Issues
Boat Handling
& Boat Safety
Hurricane
Preparations

HOME > CORE & STRUCTURAL ISSUES >

"Mid Size Power Boats": A Guide for Discreminating Buyers - by

David Pascoe

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 1/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Cored Hull Bottoms:

The Final Word

by David Pascoe
In many of my previous articles I raised some warning flags about this latest trend toward coring boat bottoms, pointing out the potential for some very
serious problems. Those warnings haven't been heeded as numerous builders jump on the cored hull bandwagon.

Well, folks, now the chickens are coming home to roost, only to find that the fox has raided the hen house. You needn't take my word for it, for I will show you
actual pictures of the results.

Cored hull bottom failures are starting to show up in increasing numbers, just as I had predicted. After all, the
industry went though this ridiculous situation in the 1960's, again in the early 1980's and now in the decade of
single digits. The industry love affair with cored bottoms seems to run in twenty year cycles and here we are
again. The market is being filled with cored bottom boats.

Amazingly this re-experimentation with cored bottoms is not just happening with smaller boats, but mainly with
very large boats, exactly where you'd least expect it, what with large boats involving such huge sums of money,
one would think that large boat builders would be a lot more cautious and conservative. But, no, like a herd of
lemmings, many are making a mad dash toward the edge of the cliff.

Sea Ray is a company that has played around a lot with hamburger helper for fiberglass. Over the years it seems
they've done everything they could think of to reduce the amount of costly glass and resin they use in their hulls,
including the pioneering the "putty boat," hulls that incorporate spray-in polyester filler (stuff that looks exactly
like Bond-O autobody filler).

Sea Ray has used cores in their boats for many years, first for decks, then for hull sides, and finally for bottoms.
Sea Ray, like most other builders, has had a lot of trouble with rotting cores. They've also had a lot of trouble
with their chopped strand mat laminated over plywood hull stringers and other structurals rotting. So you have to
wonder, if they can't build plywood cored stringers and balsa cored decks that won't rot away (and which aren't
submerged in water), what on earth makes them think that they can build boat bottoms the same way? And with
balsa, no less?

Why It's Risky to Buy a Cored Bottom Boat

The risk of water entry into a cored bottom is obvious to most experienced boat owners. It's like having a water-
proof watch. Even my Rolex Submariner will, over time, experience the seals aging and going bad and water
leaking into the watch. That has already happened twice. Of course, a boat bottom is not built with the precision
and care of a Rolex watch, so how much more is it likely to leak? The answer is so much more so that water
ingress into the core is almost inevitable over time.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 2/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

The effects of hydraulic erosion. This test boring of a delaminated cored boat bottom came out as a handful of
mush. The brownish color is pulverized balsa. A larger piece of balsa is visible at lower center.

Then there is the risk of improper handling, repairs, alterations, etc. All it takes is for one improperly made
screw hole to turn a boat bottom into mush. Mush? Yep, mush. Take a look at the above photo that illustrates the
results of what happens when water gets into a core. These core samples were taken from the bottom of a large
Sea Ray which had failed that was only three years old, one of several of this model that had met with the same
fate.

What you see there is a bottom laminate that was in the process of completely disintegrating. The reason is that
once water gets into a core, a phenomenon called hydraulic erosion takes place. Due to the slamming and
pounding of the hull bottom on the sea surface, water contained within a laminate or core will be compressed by
the flexing laminate structure. Thus, the bottom literally becomes a diaphragm pump.

Once ply separation occurs, the impacts of hull against water creates hundreds of pounds of hydraulic water
pressure within the laminate. The pressure is so strong that it will erode the plastic and shred the glass fibers.
And that is exactly what you see in that photo. A hull laminate that has been reduced to a slurry of plastic
particles shreds of glass fibers, much like the way the Colorado river carved out the Grand Canyon.

In this shot, the inner laminate is separated from the balsa core. A large amount of dust fell out of this hole when
the plug was removed, some of which can be seen stuck to the inner laminate. The dust is pulverized fiberglass
from pounding. No water was necessary to fuel the destructive process of laminate breakdown.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 3/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

People usually think that a balsa cored bottom would be far worse because of the wood's ability to absorb water.
So far, the evidence at hand does not support that idea. Foam, because it is much softer, and not at all fibrous,
breaks down much faster under hydraulic pressure. In fact, in all the test borings taken on this boat, the balsa
itself was yet to break down. The actual failure occurred because the cored bottom panels were not properly
terminated at the keel. In this instance, the major ply separations occurred within the solid laminate (containing a
LOT of CSM) first.

A hull bottom made with a lot of CSM delaminates. The separated pllies grind together and reduce the laminate
to dust and shredded fibers as seen here.

The Limitations of Surveys

Unfortunately, core problems are often undetectable during surveys unless the problems are far advanced. That
is particularly true when the outer skins are particularly thick and neither sounding nor moisture meters are
likely to give an indication of trouble.

And in the case of our Sea Ray boat here, extremely little of the internal hull is visually accessible, so not much
of the internal hull can even be inspected.

Thus, when buying a used boat with a cored hull, even a survey is not going to prove a reasonable probability of
a defect-free hull. Surveyors ought to be shivering in their shoes anytime they approach a cored bottom, so how
much more trepidation should a buyer bring to the table?

So there you have it. The history of cored bottom performance is poor. Surveys that don't involve destructive
testing can prove soundness. Buying a cored bottom boat, in my opinion, is little more than a roll of the dice.
The odds are not in your favor.

How About Cored Hull Sides?

No problem. Hull sides are not submerged and are far less likely to become water saturated. The potential for
hydraulic erosion is far lessened even if it does. And because the sides are vertical, water will collect at the
bottom near the chine. Water saturation in sides is fairly easy to detect: All you have to do is drill a small pilot
hole on the inside and see if water runs out.

Keep in mind, folks, that the industry tells us that cored bottoms are lighter and stronger. Lighter, maybe. But
here's your evidence of stronger.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 4/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

The amazing thing about the boat building industry is that no one ever seems to learn from the lessons of the
past. Want a job in the marine industry? Anyone can apply: no experience necessary.

Obviously.

Related reading:
Sea Ray and Balsa Core Bottoms - Posted November 20, 2002
Core Materials The Hamburger Helper of Boat Building,
Reviewed in the Light of History - Posted October 31, 1998

Posted July 12, 2001

HOME > CORE & STRUCTURAL ISSUES >

David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as
an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase
surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings,
hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the
author of:

"Mid Size Power Boats" (2003)

"Buyers’ Guide to Outboard Boats" (2002)
"Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats" (2001, 2nd Edition - 2005)
"Marine Investigations" (2004).
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 5/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from over 70
countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

Biography - Long version

Structural Issues Articles

At A Glance

Bad News For Bertram

Are They Fiberglass Boats Anymore?
Cored Hull Bottoms: The Final Word
Core Materials
More on Cores
Sea Ray and Balsa Core Bottoms
ATC Core-Cell: A Foaming Solution?
Composite Troubles in Aircraft
From Other Categories
"Hi Tech Materials in Boat Building" from Marine Sureying
"New Materials Again" from Marine Surveying
"Latent Defects"
from Insurance Issues

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 6/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

David Pascoe's
Power Boat
Books
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 7/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Mid Size Power

Boats
A Guide for Discriminating
Buyers
Focuses exclusively
cruiser class generally
30-55 feet
With discussions on the
pros and cons of each type:
Expresses, trawlers, motor
yachts, multi purpose types,
sportfishermen and sedan
cruisers.

Buyers' Guide to
Outboard Boats
Selecting and Evaluating
New and Used Boats
Dedicated for offshore
outboard boats
A hard and realistic look at
the marine market place
and delves into issues of
boat quality and durability
that most other marine
writers are unwilling to
touch.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 8/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Surveying
Fiberglass Power
Boats
2nd Edition
The Art of Pre-Purchase
Survey
The very first of its kind,
this book provides the
essentials that every novice
needs to know, as well as a
wealth of esoteric details.

Marine
Investigations
Pleasure crafts
investigations to court
testimony
The first and only book of
its kind on the subject of
investigating pleasure craft
casualties and other issues.

15% discount
for multiple books purchase directly from us. See Details.

Readers
Worldwide
Over 70 countries
Countries List
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 9/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Links to Each Chapter Contents with Excerpt at:

davidpascoe.com

Mid Size Power Boats

Chapter 1
Basic Considerations
Chapter 2
Boat Types: Which is Right for You?
Chapter 3
Old Boats, New Boats and Quality
Chapter 4
Basic Hull Construction
Chapter 5
Evaluating Boat Hulls
Chapter 6
Performance and Sea Keeping
Chapter 7
Decks & Superstructure
Chapter 8
Stress Cracks,Finishes and Surface Defects
Chapter 9
Power Options
Chapter 10
The Engine Room
Chapter 11
Electrical & Plumbing Systems
Chapter 12
Design Details
Chapter 13
Steering, Controls, Systems & Equipment

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 10/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Chapter 14
The Art of the Deal
Chapter 15
Boat Shopping
Chapter 16
The Survey & Post Survey
Chapter 17
Boat Builders by Company
512 pages

Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats

2nd Edition

Chapter 1
What is
Pre-Purchase Survey?
Chapter 2
Business Practices and Client Relations
Chapter 3
Sound vs. Seaworthiness
Chapter 4
Procedures
Chapter 5
Hull and Its Structure
Chapter 6
Surveying the Hull
Chapter 7
Using Moisture Meters
Chapter 8
Stress Cracks & Surface Irregularities
Chapter 9
Deck & Superstructure
Chapter 10
Cockpits
Chapter 11
Drive Train
Chapter 12
Gas Engines
Chapter 13
Fuel Systems
Chapter 14
Exhaust Systems
Chapter 15
Electrical Systems
Chapter 16

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 11/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Plumbing Systems
Chapter 17
Sea Trials
Chapter 18
Appraisal
Chapter 19
Reporting
480 pages

Marine Investigations

Chapter 1
The Marine Investigator
Chapter 2
The Nature of Investigations
Chapter 3
The Nature of Evidence
Chapter 4
Marine Insurance and Issues of Law
Chapter 5
Bilge Pumps & Batteries
Chapter 6
Finding the Leak
Chapter 7
Sinking Due To Rain
Chapter 8
Fire Investigations
Chapter 9
Machinery Failure Analysis
Chapter 10
Fraud Investigations
Chapter 11
Interrogation Techniques
Chapter 12
Reports
Chapter 13
Deposition & Court Testimony
544 pages

HOME > CORE & STRUCTURAL ISSUES >

Home
All Articles
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 12/13
9/28/2018 Cored Hull Bottoms

Books
Order Books
Contact
Privacy Policy

Published by: D. H. Pascoe & Co., Inc.

Articles, Images: Copyright © 1997 - 2015 David H. Pascoe All rights reserved.
Web site design & developement: Copyright © 1997 - 2015 Junko A. Pascoe All rights reserved.
Web site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/cored_hull_bottoms.htm 13/13