Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

[lawyertob]

Hello everybody...I am new around here, but I promise that, unlike most newbies, I read much of what is on these forums before I started asking questions <br /><br />Now, the question. If you put foam in under the floor and don't let it contact the flooring, then don't you create at least a small void for water (even if it is just condensation) to collect and cause the bottom of the plywood to rot?<br /><br />Conversely, if you do let the foam contact the bottom of the flooring (and assuming that you allowed for expansion and didn't blow the whole thing up), then how hard would it be to get the flooring up if you ever had to? I know that the foam isn't all that strong, but we are talking about a LOT of square inches of foam holding the floor down.<br /><br />Just my $0.02 worth,<br />Joe

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

If the foam blows and sticks to the floor, you add a really strong layer of lamination combining the floor, the inside of the hull and foam.<br /><br />The strength of the hull to resist a twist or flex would go up about a hundred fold.<br /><br />But, you're right, if you ever need to pull up the floor pannel again before it rots---- you'll need to bring some sandwiches and something to drink, because you're going to be there awhile to do it.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

you can't stop water,,,period<br /><br />it's gonna get in.. put down <br /><br />many/some <br /> <br />chunks of 1/4 styo-foam then a layer of thin foam on top of that.. then foam..<br /><br />you'll have the best of both worlds..<br /><br />foam chunks acts as stilts/post,, an water can ( that will get in ) can flow to bilge <br /><br />an air can circulate..<br /><br />thanks crab,, your welcome..

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

The way I see it, if I ever have to pull my floor again, I have greater problems than the foam sticking to the underside. In my opinion, it is best to just build for the best strength as possible, put a cover on it when not in use, and not worry about it anymore. According to my calculations, I should be well into my next boat before my current boat ever develops problems again.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

Well I had foam stuck to all the plywood that Bayliner put in. The floor came up real easy. Crowbars work wonders and so do shovels.

<br />The flat edge was on wood notice the big VOID? no foam but this wood was above the floor and had no rot. Notice the foam is still in situ,stuck to the fibergalls but not the wood.<br /><br /> You have nothing to worry about your gonna fix it right the first time so you never have to tear out the floor again,correct?

 

[lawyertob]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> You have nothing to worry about your gonna fix it right the first time so you never have to tear out the floor again,correct?

Hehe...you have a point. However, if I did run up on something and needed to fix a leak...or even just wanted to take a peek down there to see what was going on...I can see how having the whole floor "glued" down with foam could be a problem.<br /><br />That being said, I think that NOT having the foam contacting the wood would be even worse. Well, at least I think I do...sort of... <br /><br />Which reminds me, does anyone know where to get that dissolving rope stuff?<br /><br />Another $0.02 worth,<br />Joe

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> notice the big VOID?

Good point.<br /><br />Something folks need to be reminded of every so often is that if you're in the boat building business---<br /><br />All you got to do is meet USCG requiremnts for flotation as it applies to new boats.<br /><br />Then, the rest is like the folks who make fishing lures: They don't have to catch fish, they just have to catch fishermen. <br /><br />The guys at the plant justify to each other why they are doing a minimal job:<br /><br />"It ain't my boat. It ever going to be my boat. And when I get done doing 'such and such' to these next 15 boats in line, then I can go to Lunch". If it lasts 3 days longer than the warranty period,,,, that's fine".........

 

[lawyertob]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> Well I had foam stuck to all the plywood that Bayliner put in. The floor came up real easy. Crowbars work wonders and so do shovels.

<br />

Realgun,<br /> I meant to ask this last week but forgot...was the small area pictured the only place that had foam contacting wood, or was there a lot more foam that was removed before the picture was taken?<br /><br /> What I am worried about is having basically the whole floor "glued" down with foam. I want the extra strength and to prevent water under the plywood though.<br /><br /> I have considered putting on a release agent...like maybe wax on the underside of the plywood...but then I would lose most of the added lamination strength...darned if ya do and darned if ya don't. <br /><br />Not even $0.02 worth,<br />Joe

 

[Realgun]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

That area was a seat base. The thing is nearly square and the hole where you put things was a smaller square. The foam was under the seat and when Bayliner put it in they put the foam and stapled the top down BEFORE the foam fully expanded. This caused the top to pop up about 1/2 inches and allow water down into the wood. Only a little rot and since there was carpet over this you could not see it. Clever of them to cover anything they though you should not see so you think you were getting a well put together boat. The foam was stuck to the floor better than the top or sides. The foam was easy to pull away from the wood but the foam required a shovel. You slide shovel under the corner and push till it is buried. Then a firm presure on the handle popped the foam up. This seemed to work very well.<br /><br />To answer your question if you have to pul the floor up for say a repair you will not have problems with 2lb foam. I used a wire whisk on my angle grinder to get the last little bit of foam off eeither the Fiberglass or wood. This from harbor freight.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Foam contact with flooring - blessing or curse?

One guy here who rebuilt his boat filled the underfloor cavity jam tight with bubble-wrap! Said, if water got in, it wouldn't penetrate the bubble-wrap, which would always give plenty of buoyancy, and he could easily hear any water and drain it out through the plug!<br /><br />You pays your money .....