Insulation or padding

[huguley3]

Finally got to getting the windows out and sent off to the plastics guy. So we have been staring at the liner and thinking about the rotten plywood underneath the window and trying to decide what to do.

One thing that keeps coming up is whether the foam on the existing liner is there for padding or insulation? Do all boats have a layer of foam between the fiberglass and whatever inside material for insulation?

We are kind of leaning towards replacing the rotten plywood with some new stuff and then putting a veneer or just staining it to match. There would be none of the foam on it so if it did have a purpose in insulating the boat it could suddenly become a big solar oven.