foam questions

[steve-lima]

First Id like to say hello to everyone here. I'm working on an Ebb Tide that had pour in foam under the deck, of course it was wet. I.ve changed all stringers and keel wood. Reglassed them in. I'm to the foam. Where do you get it, who makes it, how much is cost and is it 2 lbs or 4 lbs. Thank you for all your help.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: foam questions

Welcome to Iboats.

You can get 2 part poly foam at a couple of places. Composites One, USComposites to name a couple.

Prices vary... 2lb is good enough for boat flotation.

I Just poured my first few batches on my project. Went very well. Good Luck.

 

[steve-lima]

Re: foam questions

Is 2lbs foam also made for structural in a glass boat ?

 

[Trooper82]

Re: foam questions

Is 2lbs foam also made for structural in a glass boat ?

Yup, that is the coast guard minimum.I think you are supposed to use 4lb around fuel tanks, but most here do not foam around the tanks like most factories did.

 

[93bayliner1800]

Re: foam questions

I just poured foam this past Sunday. Uscomposites paper stated that coast guard requires 4lb foam on all new builds from manufacture, but most rebuilds use 2lb. I used 2lb and man is it solid!! It took 2- 16lb kits to do under the deck in my 18ft Bayliner. Each cubic foot of 2lba foam floats 60 lbs. It said to make sure temp was at or above 80 to get most expansion rate. Pour from back of cavity to the front and keep closing off holes until you see it come out front hole of the compartment you are trying to fill.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: foam questions

Is 2lbs foam also made for structural in a glass boat ?

I'd go with the 4 lb., especially if you're using 1/2" decking.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: foam questions

I am not aware of any changes in the CG flotation foam requirements, they even use 2lb in their examples of how to calculate the amount needed.

The US composites website doesn't list a change either, it says 2 lb is fine.

I know of no builders that use anything but 2 lb for floatation (I know, someone find one that uses something else).

You will need to use more 4 lb because it is heavier and expands less, plus the price is higher.

 

[93bayliner1800]

Re: foam questions

Here is a pic of uscomp paper that came with my foam last week.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: foam questions

Here is a link to the CG page on calculating the amount of foam needed.


http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/flotation_part1_g.aspx

 

[jigngrub]

Re: foam questions

Here is a pic of uscomp paper that came with my foam last week.



View attachment 154972

There's a reason for the 4 lb. foam requirement, it makes for a better build.

 

[steve-lima]

Re: foam questions

You guys are great.................. Thank you for all your help and input.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: foam questions

There's a reason for the 4 lb. foam requirement, it makes for a better build.

Please elaborate.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: foam questions

Ok, I was at major boat builder today with some other suppliers to do a mold building class for a group of local fabricators.

As they were foaming a boat I asked the Production manager what weight foam they use... it was 1.8 lb

I asked if the current CG spec had been changed to 4 Lb, he said no.

I knew the answer before asking, but I wanted make sure it hadn't changed recently.

If you look at Peter Ikenberry's (member here) posts he indicates all CG calculations are done with 2 lb foam. He was a safety engineer for the CG and did testing plus instructional classes for boat builders on safety including floatation. He is currently gutting a Sea Ray and putting in new foam.

I only post this type of stuff to keep the information provided by iboats as accurate as possible. Too many times something is posted by mistake or a misunderstanding and future readers get the wrong ideas and then pass them on as fact.

 

[93bayliner1800]

Re: foam questions

I happen to agree with you on the 2lbboat foam. When I read the document from uscomp I was baffled as I had never heard that. But just want to be sure I state it was an actual document from uscomp I posted.... so the mistake is on them.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: foam questions

Its really not a mistake. The 4 pound density is required for USCG approved boats. Most of the boats we have are NMMA, or ABYC approved using several coast guard requirements. I've build CG boats and the CG came to the plant and inspected along with Lloyds. If you were building a boat to coast guard specs it would cost a fortune for other things as well. A boat that is built to carry passengers for hire is an example.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: foam questions

We are not talking about boats being built for the Coast Guard, they spec many products and types of construction that are very different than what is used in pleasure boats to meet the requirements set for them.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: foam questions

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/flotation_part2_c.aspx

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: foam questions

I believe the 4lb foam is USCG regs for boats carrying "Passengers for HIRE or Commercially" NOT passengers such as the passengers on our recreational boats. But I am just an...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: foam questions

It depends if your filling a structural part or non structural part of the boat.

If you want to fill just for floatation then Great 2# it is ..

But if your filling something that has an integral part of the build then you should use 4#.

Forget the USCG regulations .. its simple boat building ..

If it flexes before foam go 4 .. if its solid then go 2.

I agree with the above poster that said something about 'CG certified approved' boat builds. YES they are Very expensive boats and even one that had been badly damaged would cost twice as much as the same boat the was in good condition ( They come out there and document every single step of the build ) .. IF Brunswick built nothing but CGCA boats .. nobody could afford them LoL.

BTW .. Ebbtide should be 615-797-3193 .. call them up and see what they have to say..get back to us ok .

YD.

 

[93bayliner1800]

Re: foam questions

Well, I have decided to add more foam. Was going to leave it out in boxes under windshield, but I am making my subwoofer truck style boxes permanent and then foam in behind and around them. After careful looking I am worried it will float, but not level....so this makes me feel a lot better also structurally.​