To core or not to core....

[mongo75]

I will be rebuilding a 1968 25' Luhrs. It's hull is glass only, no coring. Is it ok to do a total restore on this boat leaving the hull as original from the factory, or should I take the effort to put some core material on the entire interior of the hull (except the bottom??) Will the gains be significant? And lastly, due to budget constraints (in the military) can I rip a sheet of 4x8x.25" ply into 2" strips and lay it at a 45* angle to get more rigidity without adding too much weight? I figure I'd need to cover about 225-250 sq feet, without doing the hull bottom. Thanks for the advice!

[Landlubber]

mongo75, why please do you feel the need for a core material. Boats built in the 60's are generally overbuilt in the first place, so adding more to the hull seems to me superfluous.

Your question following regarding rigidity may be the answer to my question, but I really doubt the boat is not rigid......

[mongo75]

Landlubber- you got a great point. I guess I just though it might be warranted as "it's what everyone is doing", or at least I've seen a few rebuild articles where coring was added where non previously existed. Also, If I recall correctly, the hull is only about 1/4" (6mm) thick. I guess as long as I ensure the stringers and bulkheads are well placed, I should have not problem.

[Landlubber]

mongo75,

Sand and refinish the hull, that is all that would normally be required in doing a rebuild on an old hull, assuming of course that she has not been smashed or something.

Coring would only be added if there was a problem, don't kick sleeping dogs mate.

[mongo75]

Thanks again mate, I'll let that sleeping dog lay LOL.