What material for Risers?

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by FishStretcher

One more thing- don't put plywood in your floor. Use a real foam core if you can, or coosa. Or buy nidacore- premade from boatbuildercentral.com.

Barring that, then balsa core.

These are all ok for weight. The foam cores are lighter, as is the nidacore.

Balsa seems to be stock. It is strong, but it is wood. And it gets wet and rots.

Plywood is the worst. Heavy. Strong where it does no help. Grain orientation makes for a faster rotting process than balsa when you get it wet/ drill holes.

I think you should check out 3/4"-20mm nidacore first. With or without glass already on it.

FS, is got a good tip on the composite foam. If you can afford it, foam is the way to go. Wood will last a long time if done correctly and if it is 100 percent sealed but the foam will last longer even if it isn't sealed well. Foam is defiantly a better product to put in a boat, but the cost becomes the factor when choosing usually. The cheaper wood may last 30+ years but you got the extra weight. I still don't mind using wood where weight is not a major concern but you have to take extra care and make sure it is sealed up well. Far as resale value, most people will pay more for a full composite boat so that is another thing to consider if you plan on selling in the future. I would not be afraid to use wood and I use it a lot myself, just take the time to prep it well and you will be good to go for a long time.