Need info on a mid 60's Columbia Challanger....

[SVDistantStar]

Im going to salvage an abandoned Challanger soon. Its been sunk for about a week now and im wondering what the deck is cored with? The boat isnt in too bad of condition. The decks feel soild on it, but i want to know whats between the glass. The boat is sunk laying at about 70degrees to starboard and comes out of the water at low tide. Im going to use the mast to lever it over to a point where it can right itself.

I love doing this stuff. Ive already salvaged a 1974 25ft hunter, but havent done much with it due to a missing rudder.

[starwindsailor]

please contact me. I have information on a 24' columbia outside of cal dreamin.
starwindsailor

[SVDistantStar]

Well Starwind, what do you think the deck is cored with? If its end-grain balsa wood theres going to be one hell of a job drying it out.

[mjname]

I have a 1965 columbia 29. It is cored with... of all the things they could put between fiberglass... guess what they put. FIBER GLASS! I've put in a port this summer in the forehatch and it was solid, no core. The previous owner put in additional through hulls for **** pit drainage and it's solid there as well.

You will probably find that there is no coring to the Challenger as well.

[SVDistantStar]

Well if that is the case then this will be an easy boat to save. Thank god for no balsa wood.

[1970Columbia34]

Not sure how diffrent they are but the decks of our 1970 Columbia 34 is cored with a Balsa core. The hull is solid glass but not the decks. Did you guys figure out who gets the boat yet?

Scott

[SVDistantStar]

He is still waiting to get the title to it. Neither of us has been back to it yet. Its still bobbing around on anchor in the anchorage.