What's the strongest "coring" material for hatches

[Thepistonhead]

Re-coring my 20SF hatches and want the strongest material in particular for the longer hatch because my kids are animals and like to party!!!!

Just curious what everyone's opinions are regarding strength. Weight is a non issue....I like heavy hatches/lids and any weight forward wont hurt to bad.

[dirtwheelsfl]

Plywood...

[kmoose]

Not as heavy as plywood but Bluewater 26 is some strong Coosa.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by dirtwheelsfl

Plywood...

Now now, Sailors have made concrete float.

[NoBones]

Really fond of hydraulic cement ! No shrinkage !! With rebar of course.....

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by NoBones

Really fond of hydraulic cement ! No shrinkage !! With rebar of course.....

There is a bridge in Stuart.

[Xcomunic8d]

Haha, concrete. I have a friend who built sailboats here and swore up and down that concrete makes the best sailboats. Hard to believe, but he showed me photos.

I just recored Some decks and made some hatches for mine. I used 1/2” Finnish birch plywood. You can get it from a wood store not Home Depot or Lowe’s. The Finnish just means (more or less) that you have a substantially higher number of plys vs traditional plywood. I’m very pleased with the results of it, so far.

11 ply’s I believe on this one For around $50-60 for a 1/2” 4’x8’ sheet



The teak 3/4” 4’x8’ at $280 was only 7 plys. The maple 3/4” was 7 plys as well at $110/ sheet. That’s prefinished cabinet grade plywood. You’ll find the big box stores are even lower counts.

Thermolite (coosa) would work well too. It’s lighter, water resistant, and bugs won’t eat it. End grain balsa may be a good choice for lightness (Over plywood) but doubt you will notice a difference In sturdiness.

Good luck!

[strick]

I like core cell but it's $$

strick

[Thepistonhead]

touche' LOL!!!!

Originally Posted by gofastsandman

There is a bridge in Stuart.

[Thepistonhead]

Thanks all........I just want zero flex on the big hatch because as I stated, my kids will inevitably test my coring skills. I was thinking wood or coosa. I'm using coosa on the deck.