foam questions

[locknut550]

ive got a 10 ft hdpe plastic boat. one problem with this boat is that the floor of the boat is not braced good and the floor flexes under your feet. the floor has 2 layers of plastic by shineing a light i can see that there is just airspace between the 2layers of the floor.iwas thinking about pouring some foam down between these 2 layers in hope of gaining some support.would the good marine foam that you mix work? first of all it would have to be poured down through a funnel and a tube to be able to reach the area.is that stuff thin enough to do that? secondly how much outward force does the foam exert when in a confined space my fear here is that the floor would be all lumpy. any help would be appreciated.

 

[Realgun]

Re: foam questions

Yes it can be poured fairly eeasily however that stuff does get hot. It could blow a hole in the plastic. I would try a little at a time to see what happens but like I said it get fairly hot when curing.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: foam questions

Will it work in your application ? - absolutely. It will fill the void between the two layers and add a lot of rigidity to the structure.<br />

how much outward force does the foam exert when in a confined space my fear here is that the floor would be all lumpy

A lumpy floor will not be your problem. This foam if confined to an enclosed space WILL blow your boat apart. It must be applied carefully in sections. Using a hole saw, you will need to cut several 2" holes in the floor to pour the foam in. The disks can be epoxied back in place in the holes once the foam has cured.

 

[Bondo]

Re: foam questions

would the good marine foam that you mix work?

Ayuh,... Maybe,.... Nope, Not the way You're trying to go about it.....<br />

first of all it would have to be poured down through a funnel and a tube to be able to reach the area.is that stuff thin enough to do that?

Nope,....... When it's Mixed, It has the Flow characteristics of a "Dry" Concrete Mix......Only Much Lighter........ <br />Where ever it Ploops,.... That's about how far it's going..........This is what gives you the Nope, in the 1st quote.........<br />

secondly how much outward force does the foam exert when in a confined space

Enough to Pop a sheet of Plywood that's been Screwed down at 6" centers..............<br />Poured Wrong,.........Your boat Could end up looking like a Seriously Deformed Football..................<br /><br />Sorry it's Not really What you want to hear,.......<br />But,.. I Don't Think the Potential Risk is worth the Possible Gain...........

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: foam questions

Cut a piece of Home Depot Thin EXTERIOR AC plywood to the shape you want. Paint it with 2 coats of gloss exterior water based paint on every surface and EDGE. Dry 2 days and screw it with the right length non-rusting sheetrock screws. Or paint and cover with outdoor carpet and screw down.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: foam questions

When it's Mixed, It has the Flow characteristics of a "Dry" Concrete Mix

Not the stuff I have used. Consistency was more like table syrup once mixed. Was easy to pour and flowed into every little space. Only issue I had with the stuff is that it starts to expand very quickly once it was mixed. Had no time to mess around at all. Prep everything before hand, mix and pour right away or it will start to expand before you finish pouring it.<br />

Poured Wrong,.........Your boat Could end up looking like a Seriously Deformed Football

What an image ! Thanks for the laughs

 

[fishingdan]

Re: foam questions

Go with the idea of the plywood on top of the floor. The 2-part marine foam will definitely blow your floor apart. Even the home store foam insulation will have a similar result.<br /><br />I also don't like the idea of cutting holes into the ropolene hulls. They are very difficult to seal back up since epoxy won't still very well to plastic.