: Tha: Unless you want a throw-away boat, using a very soft light-weight core
: material will allow impacts to crush the core under a light-weight lay-up.

Good Point. Since I plan to use the strips as a visible core material and the glass/carbon as the structural materials rather than just to protect the wood this is something to remember. I'm used to sprint racing, where there really is no threat of damage from impact and no beach landings or much surf to speak of... The core we normally use is Nomex Honeycomb, which is etremely light, and stiff, but we count on the carbon sheathing for impact and crush resistance. I won't have as great a protection with this boat, so I think the soft balsa idea is out...

Thanks,

Jeff H