I pulled the floor in the v-berth and the sandwich material looks like 3/8 balsa. I'm still debating pulling the cabin floor. The post I 've suggest that this is sandwich with vermiculite.
1. Is vemiculite distincntly different than balsa?
2. Since the v-berth area is small, I could use the rest of the balsa sheet(2x4) for the cabin. Rather than order two different materials, is there and problem with using balsa in the cabin floor?
thanks
John

There's an old thread where Rich Miller posted some great tips in dissecting hull #294 "Clean Sweep" http://j30.us/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5934/Dewatering_Aft_Bilge_Need_Advi.html
He had some comments on the vermiculite.

His pictures & descriptions are here: http://j30.us/J30%20Rebuild/Inner%20Laminate.html

Rich seemed pretty knowledgeable on this, so you may want to contact him.

The floor itself has 3/8 balsa in the sandwich. I've replaced this myself when the floor became very spongy.

The vermiculite is in spots between the floor and the hull. The floor sits on top of the vermiculite. It looks like its there to support the floor.

Thanks that's what I needed to know. Since we have yet another snow day. I'll remove the floor today. These snow days are eating up good June sailing days