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Depends
Each has its own benefits. Common wisdom: End grain balsa is lighter and stronger; however, if it gets wet, it turns to mush. Foam may not provide as much stiffness, but it is "waterproof". A nice compromise: end grain balsa core with solid glass/epoxy construction at all thru deck (or hull) fixtures. For a good discussion of the whole subject, try reading "Heart of Glass", a recent book about the history of fiberglass boat construction.
Each has its own benefits. Common wisdom: End grain balsa is lighter and stronger; however, if it gets wet, it turns to mush. Foam may not provide as much stiffness, but it is "waterproof". A nice compromise: end grain balsa core with solid glass/epoxy construction at all thru deck (or hull) fixtures. For a good discussion of the whole subject, try reading "Heart of Glass", a recent book about the history of fiberglass boat construction.
Klegecell is better than
Solid glass/epoxy construction at all thru deck (or hull) fixtures is not what you get when you buy a catalina or a hunter....
Solid glass/epoxy construction at all thru deck (or hull) fixtures is not what you get when you buy a catalina or a hunter....
Core
When I bought my boat, one of my first priorities was a solid glass hull. No core. While a cored hull may be lighter, or stiffer, or stronger, I plan on some remote Carribean cruising in the near future, and cannot imagine trying to get a cored hull repaired in some desolate out of the way place. At least with the solid glass, I am capable of slapping something on there to get me home. With the cored hull, I wouldn't know where to start. While I haven't checked, I am also sure that any repair on a cored hull is going to be much more costly than plain old fiberglass. And sooner or later, you are going to ding a hull. Unless you just stay at the dock.
When I bought my boat, one of my first priorities was a solid glass hull. No core. While a cored hull may be lighter, or stiffer, or stronger, I plan on some remote Carribean cruising in the near future, and cannot imagine trying to get a cored hull repaired in some desolate out of the way place. At least with the solid glass, I am capable of slapping something on there to get me home. With the cored hull, I wouldn't know where to start. While I haven't checked, I am also sure that any repair on a cored hull is going to be much more costly than plain old fiberglass. And sooner or later, you are going to ding a hull. Unless you just stay at the dock.
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