Transom core 34' sailboat....

Is end grain balsa suitable for the above?
This is an odd question;But it is an odd repair project, turned into rebuild.
I guess core thickness should be the same as hull with epoxy annnuli for any
high stress fastenings (backstay etc).
It will be laminated as part of the deck.
The hull laminate is strip plank with epoxy/uni+bi both sides. 850gm/m2 per side.(glass only)
The transom is above the design WL.
The transom would have 100mm x 10mm of solid glass around perimeter. (with hull) and balsa would be just a stiffener
for size of panel.
Thanks for any help.

BTW. 34'x10'6"x6'4" transom
Balsa I have is 150kg/m3.

 

In composite layups with F/G stiffness is a function of thickness. The balsa core is , as you mentioned a bulky material which will increase the stiffness of the layup. I think you are considering what will give your boat stiffness and strength in the transom. A collision with another boat or dock might delaminate a balsa cored laminate when a plywood cored laminate would distribute the shock and resist delamination. Whether you are using polyester, vinylester or epoxy the glass-resin-core bond will experience flexing forces with an impact.

 

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I ended up using 16mm gaboon ply, with an additional 16mm floor at the base.
With 1620 gms triaxial both sides. Floor thickener transition is feathered into transom.
thanks for the reply!

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2120245606&idx=76

 

Glad to see you chose plywood. Transoms should be built for strength and toughness. You might have saved 10-20 lbs with balsa. Not worth it.

Alan