Mirage 24 deck - solid glass???

[Motti123]

Hey all,

I saw this old post (copied below) where Gary M says that the Mirage 24 has a solid fiberglass deck. Does anyone know if this is accurate? I am currently trying to choose a boat and this would be a BIG + factor. I can't find any other boats besides west coast triton 28's that have a solid (no core) deck.

Thanks,

Motti123


OLD POST:
Bakeapple, seriously, take a good look at a Mirage 24 as I mentioned earlier. I have sailed on just about every boat mentioned here and for what you want I don't think you can do better,
There are a lot of them around the Great Lakes and Eastern Canada. You should be able to get one for about 4K but it will need some things. They are a very well built boat with solid glass hull and deck so no worries there. They take heavy weather very well and are big enough to stay on. A great boat for a novice.

Gary

[boatpoker]

I've surveyed several of these and all have been balsa cored with widespread areas of core rot.

[Gary M]

I don't remember writing that but yes I was likely mistaken, Very likely a balsa cored deck. I bought one new in 76 and sailed her for 5 years. Good times.

I still recommend them, it is very easy with a moisture meter to determine to what extent the coring is wet. Not a lot of penetrations on those decks but chain plate area would be subject. The hulls were definitely solid and very well constructed.

Gary M