Challenger 32 ? Deck Coring

Donque5 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

I've read some reviews, and am currently looking at 32' Challenger...this boat be a project in some ways (most boats) but, one job I don't want to tackle would be recoreing (balsa or wood fordeck) it oil cans just abit either side of center line..Foredeck only near as I can tell... Question when did manufactors start w/ coring? This is a 1970 model-sloop rigged.
I like the boat generally; CAN I tell if this is a cored area? whats the test?
I'm not Shipwright but have worked at a boat yard the last 15 years have seen and know the work thats involved.. interested in more sailing than boat work if you all know what I mean...
Thank you in Advance...

sailingfool · #2 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

You can bet 50-1 that the deck is cored. To confirm that, look for the change in laminate thickness that occurs where the cored area ends several inches from the deck, the laminate gets thinner resulting in a ridge along the undersifde of the deck.

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008

Our 1969 Viking 28 had a cored deck... I'd bet, like SF, that yours is too.

Take a small plastic hammer or a screwdriver handle and tap all around the area you're concerned about. If it's cored (and separated) you'll hear a distinct difference in the sound of the tap. (sharp tap (good) to thud (delam)) If there's no such difference then perhaps it's a solid deck that needs some more support.... but I'd say its doubtful.