core samples?

[new boat guy]

i've heard a lot about core samples but i can't seem to figure out what exactly they are and how to do them. from what i can understand they determine if the wood is rotten or not?

 

[sschefer]

Re: core samples?

i've heard a lot about core samples but i can't seem to figure out what exactly they are and how to do them. from what i can understand they determine if the wood is rotten or not?

Core samples, in my opinion, are a waste of time and energy. I just use an Ice Pick and probe for soft spots. If you have dry rot you'll find it faster with the ice pick method and your transom won't look like swiss cheese.

 

[danond]

Re: core samples?

Ice picks won't find rot like drilling will, and who cares about the swiss cheese. That's what epoxy is for! Soft spots can easily be covered up by thick fiberglass. Only way to know for sure is to drill.

 

[92excel]

Re: core samples?

core sample is when you drill into a stringer, motor mount or a transom and examine the wood that is past the glass. You can examine the wood shavings that came out of the hole and stick your finger in the hole and feel for wet wood..

I think core samples are better then just tapping the area with a hammer, or ice pick.

example..
I banged on my motor mounts and they were hard as a rock.. even with an ice pick it would have felt firm and fine..

then i drilled a hole in the motor mount:

and out came:

Clearly Rotted out..


When it comes to a transom, I did core samples and the wood that came out was dry which would lead you to think you are fine.. then i decided to redo the transom anyways.. the transom turned out to be rotten.. so make sure you do the core samples near the bottom and a few places.. yes swiss cheese.. but better then leaving the engine in the water..

 

[sschefer]

Re: core samples?

You're all right. I work on Tinny's not glass. It's easy to find the dry rot on a tinny with an ice pick but apparently not so easy on a glass boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: core samples?

also if suspecting, soaked foam, using a hole saw, cut the hole then use a piece of PCW, with notches cut in the end, like teeth, rotate that into the foam, then push out the core. you will not immediately if you have soaked foam. i have taken out as much as 700 lbs, of wet foam.

 

[new boat guy]

Re: core samples?

thanks for all the replies. i thought it was drilling but wasn't sure