Nida core

this is nida core:



nida core is made from recycled milk jugs - i kid you not,it has a scrim backing,overtop of that honeycomb plastic...

it's a very cheap product,it does not have the strength,or rigidity of a real composite core -like coosa/penske board...
it will never hold a screw,as you can see...

i treat that crap like kryptonite,other's,they swear by it...i will not use it for anything...

 

you could make up bulkheads from the existing low deck - atach side "ledges" on the hull,measure out the area,cut and drop a deck ontop of that,then cut a hatch in the new deck,and have storage below it...

that's what i would do 

 

It's good for hard tops and decks. Light weight and cheap core material. Wouldn't build a hull with it though. The shear stress is only around 40psi. Compared to 5lb divynal which is 180psi

 

Its a good core material for certain uses. As CWright said its very good core for decks/hardtops--strong in compression. You can't compare coosa to nidacore to divinicell. All different with different strengths/weaknesses. Used in deck of skiff and is great and much less weight than okoume plywood. Used airex and divinicell for console and embedded okoume to mount steering, etc. I wouldn't trust any of these composites to hold screws. You'd never use nidacore for a bulkhead or transom but also it would be a waste of $$ and weight to use coosa for a shelf.

 

I know a couple of builders who have used it to build their soles. They had the same complaints that Kreepa pointed out. Their is one place where it shines though....if you are a bee keeper with some lazy bees.....

OK OK, bad joke. :

 

You won't get a good bond between the glass and the starboard. It's too smooth. It will just peel off.

Nida will work fine for your gheenoe deck. If you have never made a core'd composite before I highly suggest you go to a fiberglass shop and pay them to help you with the lay up. They probably will even have a mold you can use. If you don't do a good job bedding the core it will delaminate.

 

Also, you can check out my fowl river 16 in the bragging section. The decks are 1/2" divynal cored with 1 layer of 1.5oz csm and one layer f 24oz woven on each side. They are tough as wood pecker lips. My front deck 5x5 is ~20lbs. Pm me and I will give you the scoop on getting a good lay up.

 

Do not use starboard - period. That is not what it was made for.

There are many products that will do what you want to do. Keep in mind that all of the synthetics will cost double+ the cost of wood.

The foam boards would be a better choice than Nida for your project.

Here is my suggestion: Since you are not too far away, drive to St. Pete and visit with FGCI. They will have what you need and the expertise to explain how to do it. Listen to them.

www.fgci.com to get their address and phone.