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RussF wrote:i hear there's alot of stream on that lake,I never been but hopin to some day

there are a few that i know of.. some are in great shape and others look like mine right now.. all beat up. i dont get to see them run too much because im there on weekends most of the time. i think they go out during the week for the smooth water

aaron78viper wrote:i looked through your entire build from your link.. boat it looking great so far. and i definitely want to do a proper job on mine also. that being said, i see the two main stringers. and the core seems to be a flat layer of what? balsa strips??? where can i pick up materials for the core? and do you fiberglass them to the hull? and seal it all up with more glass??

Yes, the core is Balsa wood. I used 1/2' in mine. They do make composite core material as well but with that it will cost you more but its not prone to future rot like balsa is. But like most of us on here say about balsa, if it lasted 25+ years built poorly, it will last you twice that when you built it the right way.

In my boat I have the hull followed by some CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) for a base to bond the balsa too, then balsa core bonded to the hull/CSM followed by 1708 over the top of the balsa to seal it followed by the floor.

Here is Chets 1977 viper rebuild. You might get a better idea on your boat as the core is different in the Vipers then in my Vulture. http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=88

Hippie459MN wrote: Yes, the core is Balsa wood. I used 1/2' in mine. They do make composite core material as well but with that it will cost you more but its not prone to future rot like balsa is. But like most of us on here say about balsa, if it lasted 25+ years built poorly, it will last you twice that when you built it the right way.

In my boat I have the hull followed by some CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) for a base to bond the balsa too, then balsa core bonded to the hull/CSM followed by 1708 over the top of the balsa to seal it followed by the floor.

Here is Chets 1977 viper rebuild. You might get a better idea on your boat as the core is different in the Vipers then in my Vulture. http://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=88

unfortunately im a little ignorent when it comes to lingo used in boat building.. is there a link to some info on the different materials your talkin about here??

here is two pics of many i took of the boat. pulled stuff out for an hour today while the rain had stopped..

looks nice and rotten makes for an easier tear down.

check out express composites online they have all you need. and everyone there is super helpful.

YDOC462 wrote:looks nice and rotten makes for an easier tear down.

check out express composites online they have all you need. and everyone there is super helpful.

thank you sir

how much, and what thickness balsa core will i be using? and i should be able to get marine plywood from home depot?

i bought 10 2'x4' 1/2"sheets on the vector and had some left over. i think chet put how much he used on his viper in his thread ( hippie posted link above)

i found marine ply at a local lumber yard but all they could get me was 3/4" and it was $75.00 a sheet. i used that on the trans and stringers. i think some of the guys used menards for their ply. ???

I get my ply from menards it run 56$ a sheet but comes inbetweeen 2 sheets of usaualy some cheaper ply that I use for other projects so it takes the sting out of the price alittile .Good luck and just take your time a first time core job doesn't happen overnight but is worth it in the long run

Welcome to the site Aaron. I've been watching your post from the sideline. Looks like you have a good start and the right attitiude. Keep pushing and posting. If you have any questions, I'll be glad to help. Bill