Do I need floatation foam?

[thimsllib]

Hi All,
I have a 1989 Bayliner Capri 1700 and I am going to be ripping up the old rotted floor and putting in a new one. I am relatively certain that the floatation foam in there now is soaked through and needs to come out. My question is: do I need to replace the floataion foam with new foam? The reason I ask is... I only paid $500 for the boat and considering it is 20 years old, I don't want to spend much money on it (it's pretty much a stepping stone to a newer boat). Plus I will only be using it in the bay for some light fishing, pleasure boating/skiing/tubing etc... I've heard of lots of guys just taking the foam out and not replacing it, but I worry that it might affect the structural integrity of the boat as well as the handling/stability. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Do I need floatation foam?

Well the problem is you are worried about the structural stability of the boat. If your deck is rotted through and the foam is soaked then your stringer/s and transom have a 99% chance of being rotted also. So you are going to have to decide if you want to put in the work to rebuild those too, since you are worried about structural.

If you don't want to deal with it you must then decide if its morally correct to sell the boat now that you know it has issues.

 

[Azonic]

Re: Do I need floatation foam?

Please use the search function now that you are a memeber and see what you can learn from the past experiences of the members here.

This is a common topic, so you will get lots of returns from your search.

When it gets specific to how to apply this to your boat, an obscure location or struggle with applications, then the members have something to chime in on that they have not "chewed" over 1000 times already...

Thanks and good luck!

 

[thimsllib]

Re: Do I need floatation foam?

Thanks

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: Do I need floatation foam?

I'm in the same boat as you with my project boat (search for NAKED to find it)

I think it comes down to replacing the foam with foam sheets from Lowes or HD. Not having it may put you in a liability situation when you sell the boat.

Reading what I've read, it's getting ridgid sheet of foam when the deck goes back on.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Do I need floatation foam?

Well the problem is you are worried about the structural stability of the boat. If your deck is rotted through and the foam is soaked then your stringer/s and transom have a 99% chance of being rotted also. So you are going to have to decide if you want to put in the work to rebuild those too, since you are worried about structural.

If you don't want to deal with it you must then decide if its morally correct to sell the boat now that you know it has issues.

I agree with thrillhouse. Make sure you check it well.
As for the sheets of foam, if the original foam was intended to be a structural component of your boat then the foam sheets won't give you that. You may want to contact your boat builder and ask them. I hear that Bayliner has a great customer service group.
Have fun
Bob