Hydrostream re-core help

[FusionFab]

Hey everyone, new to the site.
I just picked up an '82 hydrostream vector. It appears it need a recore. But I am just wondering, when cutting out the 'flat' floor that sits on top of the stringers is there more wood in the core beneath the stringers under a layer of glass? Or is just straight glass bottom?
Thanks

[Sonik]

The pad is cored but the boats have been built several different ways. Typically the older ones like mine (pre-1978) I've seen have had stringer on the bottom with core laid between the stringers, while the newer hulls have stringer on top of the pad core.

[FusionFab]

[Riverman]

FF, there is a boat builder in Brechlin Ontario that does professional recores. You may want to consider having him do it.

[FusionFab]

Ok thanks, I wanted to be for sure before I started peeling the glass up. I've built 2 "J Class" hydroplanes in the past but haven't done a re core and would like to do it. Thanks for your help I'll start another thread for when I start the project.

[Riverman]

As Sonik mentioned there is core in the pad. When you cut the floor out don't go too close to the edge or the saw will go through the hull.

If you are going to vacuum bag the core in (recommended) it is much easier to bond the stringers in on top of the sealed core. Read through my resto thread linked just below.

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

Fusion Fab , i think it would be a good learning experience for you to do the re-core ,and to tell you the truth ....or maybe i am just weird , but i find Streams fun to do .

[FusionFab]

Yeah I'm pretty pumped to start it, I just have the floor cut out right to the edges, I'm still thinking I may separate the two halfs and work on that way. I'm still a month away from really getting to it. Just building my house right now. I'll post pics. Thanks again

[FusionFab]

Well I got a little bored and curious so I went at the core between the two skins. I did about a 1' x 3' section and yup the back 1.5' is gone, and still sopping. From there and up towards the seat mounts was decent but when I end up 'starting for real' lol I am going to replace the entire floor. Should I go with 3/8" or 1/2" balsa core. I'd really like to cut down the weight as much as possible. Yet still be strong.

[FusionFab]

Here she is....These were taken yesterday prior to me revealing the balsa in the floor.

[Riverman]

Half-inch is what was there, go with that. Core weighs nothing and thicker is better.