Bow cap coring rotted - 20 Seafari

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by Max_Florida

Are you referring to a synthetic like divinycell?

I had considered it, but balsa properly taken care of should last a good while... hopefully by then I'll win the lotto and be able to completely restore the boat.

I'm going to do the project today, I'll sand it tomorrow after it cures, slap a coat of paint on it to protect the epoxy(I plan on painting the whole boat after I redo the transom this winter) and then install all of the anchor hardware on Tuesday morning.

If everything goes according to plan I'll be putting her into the water on Tuesday morning. I'll keep you guys updated and post some pics. I appreciate the advice.

I like the idea of balsa most everywhere else, but I would consider the area under a cleat to be similar in stress to the transom. So something a bit more robust. I don't like plywood in general, but right under the cleat might be good. I am not sure if there are different strengths or densities of divinycell, but if there are, I would get one of the stronger/higher density versions for the ~square foot or do under the cleat. Or put load spreaders between the cleat and cap. Basically a construct a reinforcing plate so that the loads on the cleat dont make it locally break the fiberglass under the edge of the cleat "feet". I suppose THOSE load spreaders could be starboard and added after the fact and be beveled to look pretty nice.