Cored Hull & Insulated Hull

[Roniszoro]

A curiosity question:

It is my understanding that when sailing in higher latitudes, it is desirable to have an insulated hull to help prevent condensation, particularly from heating the boat. I'm wondering if having a cored hull serves this purpose (although not its intent), helps serve this purpose or doesn't serve it at all.

Thank you for your thoughts/input.

Ron

[Chotu]

It helps. My entire hull is R4.2 due to the 1” (25mm) corecell core.

Balsa less so.

[Melbourne Park]

My boat is balsa core. My caravan is lined with a pushable material that is probably a PVC outer finish. The caravan (although fibreglass) doesn't condensate, and similar owners say other caravans do despite them being fibreglass. Many Australian caravans made of fibreglass, do so by buying European fibreglass sheets, which have an aerated foam core. So IMO it's possible to line the bare parts interior of the hull to avoid condensation. Even my racer cruiser is lined behind its seating area, where the hull is exposed. But I am in Australia. Yes I have parked in around zero (in a ski resort area), but not for long! IMO lining is worth considering. Good luck!

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

I'm wondering if having a cored hull serves this purpose (although not its intent), helps serve this purpose or doesn't serve it at all.
Thank you for your thoughts/input.
Ron

High latitude boats normally incorporate around three inches of insulation material. A cored hull will be better than a solid hull, but the insulation properties of the small amount of core material (which is chosen for its structural rather than thermal properties) is a long way short of ideal insulation.

[gs41escapade]

I've seen some great articles online about refits that added insulation inboard, then faced that with 1" planking with 1/8" gaps. Very beautiful and the owners reported that summer indoor temps dropped 10 - 15 degrees, similar to cold weather. I don't know about sweating on the cold side of the insulation. That's worth asking about.

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by gs41escapade

I've seen some great articles online about refits that added insulation inboard, then faced that with 1" planking with 1/8" gaps. Very beautiful and the owners reported that summer indoor temps dropped 10 - 15 degrees, similar to cold weather. I don't know about sweating on the cold side of the insulation. That's worth asking about.

I had a Nordic 44 that was built that way, with a solid glass hull lined with just a thin layer of closed cell foam glued to the hull with varnished staving strips covering it. I can’t tell you how much temperature difference this accomplished but it did avoid visible condensation and since it was glued to the hull there was no chance for condensation on the exterior facing surface either. The horizontal staving was fastened to thin vertical wooden strips that were glued to the hull about every 18”.

[deblen]

Some info from UK: https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear...our-boat-79546