Flotation foam question

[bh357]

I have the floor and stringers completely removed from my Larson XL-5, and everything ground down. I left the bilge tunnel in, which is just a "U" section channel of fiberglass that runs down the center of the boat. It seems that everyone has different opinions as to how to do the foam. On my boat, the foam is about 3" deep at the thickest, and through a large area it is only ~1/2" deep. Should I do the pour before installing the floor, or drill access holes and pour after the floor is installed? Also, I am contemplating using capped PVC pipe layed in the deeper areas. Am I better off cutting closed cell foam blocks/sheets to fit these areas?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Brad

 

[ajp]

Re: Flotation foam question

I would lay in empty antifreeze jugs. They are free.

 

[DJ]

Re: Flotation foam question

I vote for the closed cell foam blocks/sheets.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Flotation foam question

While I am a big fan of pouring in after the floor is in, your particular setup doesn't lend itself well for that technique. Before we go further, is there enough volume for it to even be worth the effort and expense to foam? You need to have enough volume of foam to displace enough water to at least come close to the weight of the fully rigged boat, and I just can't see that happening with the rather small dimensions you described. Anyway, you will probably need to pour the foam before laying in the floor, shaving it so the floor sets perfectly on it as well as the stringers. Because of the small amount of room, you could end up blowing out the floor or bulging the hull if you pour through holes. Yes, it will expand into the open area, but it expands at a fixed rate, which means that it will be expanding and setting up in all directions. With between 1/2 inch to three inches, you would have to pour very small amounts at a time. Yep, pour before you lay the floor, but first make sure it is worth it. Good luck....

 

[boating brad]

Re: Flotation foam question

i cant remember who posted this but it works very well, cut a piece of plywood big enough to cover a couple stringers, cover the ply with a plastic bag (i just stapled plastic to one side), pour the foam and set the ply over the stringers (plastic down). i stood on it to allow the foam to spread out, when finished you should have a nice level surface of foam that needs little trimming.<br />ps. wear gloves! there is nothing known to man that takes that stuff off your skin, other than time! "thats probably the best advice you will get".

 

[bh357]

Re: Flotation foam question

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I'll use the tip mentioned by Catfish with the plywood. there is not enough room for antifreeze jugs, however containers which are less than 2" in dia will fit in the area next to the bilge. I'd like to put something here to keep foam use to a minimum.<br /><br />Brad<br /><br />In response to JasonJ, I think that it would be worth it to foam under the floor. On the underside of the deck at the bow, there are 2 decent size foam "blocks", which are glassed in with a thin layer of mat. This does look to be a factory job.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Flotation foam question

The othe advantage of foaming is it gives you some added insurance in case you strike an object and get holed in the foamed area, and it does ad structure, so you are not hurting anything by foaming. Good luck.....and yes that stuff does NOT come off of skin, I had to chew it off of my hands....

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Flotation foam question

Good advise Catfish, I think that is the way I will put the foam in when I am ready.

 

[boating brad]

Re: Flotation foam question

if you want to keep the foam use to a minimum you might think about incorporating some 20 oz coke bottles w/lids. just pour the foam over them, i,ve never done it but it should work!<br />what i did do (when i thought i was going to run out of foam) was put some styrofoam blocks in and poured around them.

 

[pjc]

Re: Flotation foam question

This post is of huge value to me. Since JasonJ convinced me to remove the floor in my project (please see the Slickcraft SS160 post)I will be adding pourable foam (Defender).<br />The additional support the foam provides is very attractive.<br />I will follow the method catfish posted.<br /><br />Hey JasonJ, I've posted some photos of my Slikker per your suggestion.<br /><br />Thanks to all here,<br />Pat

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: Flotation foam question

Ping-pong balls... Those can be used as a smaller-sized filler. <br /><br />Rex S.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Flotation foam question

Styrofoam peanuts make a nice filler for foam. Just make sure they are compatable with your foam. I've done this before with great results. I poured a little foam, spread out some peanuts, little more foam, more peanuts, etc.