MacGregor 25 Decks

[Giro]

Does anyone know if there might be balsa, or anything else, in the deck of a 1983 MacGregor 25?

 

[rgranger]

I really doubt it. I've had two Mac 21s and a Mac 22 from that time period and they were just fiberglass... no core.

 

[justsomeguy]

My '82 Mac 25 had some thin plywood under the mast tabernacle.

 

[Giro]

My '82 Mac 25 had some thin plywood under the mast tabernacle.

I am pleased to find that most everyone concurs that the decks are fiberglass without wood core. Frankly, I do not understand why any sailboat decks are ever constructed with the addition of any type of material that would eventually rot.

 

[mikeracca]

I am pleased to find that most everyone concurs that the decks are fiberglass without wood core. Frankly, I do not understand why any sailboat decks are ever constructed with the addition of any type of material that would eventually rot.

My 83 Mac 25 had plywood on the decks. It was less than 3/4” but a bit more than 1/2”. It was just marine ply, nothing special.

 

[rgranger]

I am pleased to find that most everyone concurs that the decks are fiberglass without wood core. Frankly, I do not understand why any sailboat decks are ever constructed with the addition of any type of material that would eventually rot.

Somewhere in the 80’s the osha and epa regs made the price of fiberglass go up. To use less and keep the boat strong they started to use a core between two thinner layers of fiberglass

 

[dlochner]

I am pleased to find that most everyone concurs that the decks are fiberglass without wood core. Frankly, I do not understand why any sailboat decks are ever constructed with the addition of any type of material that would eventually rot.

It is the strength to weight ratio. Decks are mostly flat and horizontal. In order to have them strong enough to not flex under load, like when someone walks on them, they need to be thick and stiff. Adding a balsa, plywood, or foam core builds the thickness at less weight than fiberglass. The core materials are also less expensive.

On boats with cored hulls, the issue is weight.

 

[justsomeguy]

I am pleased to find that most everyone concurs that the decks are fiberglass without wood core.

Enjoy.

 

[THECUSCUS]

the deck has plywood core, wherever there is the non-skid pattern. You can also look on the inside (unless the carpet is still glued to your ceiling) and see where it is raised up for the coring.

 

[Giro]

I’d like to express my gratitude to those of you who took the time to respond to my question regarding MacGregor 25 decks.