Re: 1986 ss 201
rip some sections of PVC pipe lengthwise to cover the channel areas before you pour? i'm fine with pour foam.....you won't be the next guy restoring that boat! <EVIL LAUGH>
as i've said before, i think the factory wasn't entirely crazy to use the stuff. in addition to structural issues, there's the NOISE factor. adhering a semirigid foam to back of entire hull below waterline has to help with the BOOM. so you gotta keep the boat covered and drained....big deal....the leather upholstery on your Ferrari will rot too if you leave the windows open.
B2 dark side is right winters coming fast.
Hey Glen,
Goin' dark side I see...

Sounds like you have a reasonable plan given that the boat build intended the foam to add a structural element to it. To get the proper drain channels you could also use a flexible pvc or flexible pipe that could also be cut length wise (or not) so that the pipe could be left in place rather than trying to remove it. A variation of B2's idea.
Just some thoughts there... no doubt you'll come up with a great idea!
Jim
Great Ideas guys.
What's a little foam between friends? I mean beer foam.

But I have been thinking about expanding foam as well. This my idea to allow drainage;
Cut some PVC corrugated roof panels (
like these) with the channels at right angles to the stringers and fit between the ribs. Cut some more to fit between the stringers, channels running fore and aft. Seal all the joints with your favorite color duct tape to keep the foam out of the channels. Possibly overkill but maybe some plastic sheet over the corrugated to keep the foam dry.
Beer foam ahhhhhhh, good ideas though
GA - Man you are getting super creative!!! Likin' man! Likin' it!
Ok if we're getting creative here... one could use building foundation membrane (the one with the little stipled raised circles)... lay it right on the hull between the ribs. Then spray foam right over the membrane... water will drain on both sides and keep the foam up off the alum --- but still be tight enough to give the hull rigidity!!!
J.
Jim I had thought of of that stuff, but have to buy it in a huge qauntity, too much $ and there is not a lot of new home construction goin on around here for me to scrounge some.
You guys are way over thinking. I kept all my foam outboard of the center 2 stringers. With the deeper hulls (V5's & newer like Glens), you'd have to have 6" of standing water in the hull before it got to the foam. If the deck seams are sealed, how would water get down to the foam from above? I don't see the need for drainage channels when I have a 24" wide by 12" deep channel running right down the middle. The only way my foam could get wet is if my hull is breached which means I got bigger probs than wet foam.
Anyway Glen, that was my thinking. Oh, and even with the whole center foam free, calculations show I have 2800lbs of positive flotation.
I'm likeing your way of thinking there DJ, I can fill the hull outboard of the stringers, use the foam board in the center with a drainage channel I will be good to go. The decking seams will be sealed, as well the vinyl flooring will be layed in such a way that all seams will overlap shingle style, ie; the vinyl on the floor will come up the sides 6 inches and the side will go over that. Any and all water has to flow to the stern on the deck to exit the bilge.
I'm not convinced you should worry about that flex. Just my opinion Glen... but I would take that blue foam back and get some 3/4" and 1" thick stuff. It'll cut easier for you and you'll stand a better chance of getting it tight up against the new floor.
CJ the flex is real noticable, I think because of the rib spacing on this hull, DJ how far apart are the ribs on your V5? If I go to 1" foam I will have 416 pieces to cut out yikes I see what your saying, but its the hull that is swaying me.
Oh ya almost forgot, stealing away to the lake for the last time this year. The Walleye are biting like crazy, kinda pushing the envelope on taking the 18 SS out this late in the year, but the weather forcast is great. Hopefully get away early this afternoon.
Oh ya and one more thing my floor vinyl arrived yesterday, love it. Up until I found this supplier I could not get Nautalex delivered to Canada. This is a Canadian supplier, with super pricing and shipping so if any of my fellow northerners want the link let me know.