balsa core

I recently took a chance on a Reliance 44 with a couple of issues. The issue here that I'm seeking advice on is the wet/delaminated balsa core. The photo shows one area (about 5 -7 ft2) on the starboard deck that was definitely delaminated. Another area of about 20 ft2 is around the windlass at...

The deck on my boat is made up of 3/8 inch mesh/epoxy covered with gel coat. The interior is some decorative plastic fabric over a thin plastic shell. The area between these layers is 1/4 inch balsa. When I got the boat there were many top side leaks. The water moves around in the balsa core...

I am currently recoring and deck from the bottom for a client. The deck on this particular boat was entirely wet (balsa). At almost 40 years old some areas did not even have rotten core left. There are several issues that I would like to speak to for those of you that have cored boats...