Scarab restoration

[Top Knot]

As a new member and a new boat restorer,I would like to ask the group a restoration question.I recently finished replacing rotten stringers and transom with divinycell/polyester laminates in a 30 ft scarab sport.I would like to beef up the sides of the boat now and plan on vacuum bagging for the first time.Any suggestions for thickness and type of core to use?I want this boat to ride as good as a Contender or Intrepid.

[jimslade]

Half inch core for the sides would be fine.Stay away from balsa core. I have used nida core,it is very light and strong and absorbs very little resin.

[nero]

Scarabs were built with balsa cores ... if I remember correctly.