Wet foam question?

bgrizzle321

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Mar 29, 2020
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4
So i have a 1987 starline 150 sierra its a 15.5 foot vhull open bow fish/ski boat with a 1980ish mercury 70hp. And i am currently replacing the floor. Previous owner had it uncovered for a year or two. Soft spot in the middle. I have old floor ripped out already and have rough cut of new plywood just need to trim some edges up. But the foam and there is not alot of foam on this boat just small amount on each side of the open center and most of it near the rear on both sides. It is soaked and im not sure if i should replace it or not. Some of it appears to be drying though. Any thoughts? I have pics but cant seem to upload.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,337
if the foam is wet, it will never dry as it has absorbed the water. It needs to be dug out and replaced with pour in foam.
 

bgrizzle321

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Mar 29, 2020
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Yea but wont new foam get wet too? And as i said some of the foam mainly towards the front is drying
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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May 24, 2011
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49,038
Welcome aboard.

You just think it's drying. Have you sampled by shoving a pipe through the foam to the hull?
 

bgrizzle321

Recruit
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Mar 29, 2020
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Thanks. No i haven't. How much foam you think i need? Maybe the 2gallon kit of 2lb flotation
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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38,802
Get rid of that old foam !-------Foam floatation looks good in a sales brochure.-----Foam is also a cheap way to add structure to a hull.-----I am taking the foam out of a hull now.----Going to install ribs / extra stringers with some carbon fiber.-----Takes lots of effort and time but the result will be satisfying !
 

chevymaher

Commander
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Mar 29, 2017
Messages
2,937
I am a foam believer. Rides quiet like a caddy and your family don't die if it takes on water. I upgraded structural also. Nothing but pluses. Take care of the boat and dont treat it like a garbage scow it wont be wet inside to soak water up.

I never experienced the wet foam thing. It was all dry and anything inside it was dry. My boat had alot of water in the skii locker and bilge and laying in the corner of the deck when I got it. Yea newby I had no clue this was a No-No.
 

kcassells

Fleet Admiral
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Oct 16, 2012
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8,739
Rip it out and get started for some work. wet foam never dries and decays anything around it.
End of story. Best of luck.
 

bgrizzle321

Recruit
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Mar 29, 2020
Messages
4
Well thanks for your input guys! Im gonna order up some 2 part pour foam and get my floor done. Carpet and seats are next!
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,996
check the stringers prior to simply adding foam and floor.

you have a late 80's fiberglass boat. the stringers and transom long ago rotted prior to the floor rotting.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 28, 2013
Messages
38,802
Once looked at a boat and told the owner that there was something wrong with his boat.-----It had new carpet and nice seats and paint.-----Owner said " thanks " a few moths later.----He said under the floor was nothing but a water logged rotten mess.----He said it was a lot of work to fix it.------The sad part is that most states have rules on cars and trucks.----Folks buy their bargain boats from the end of a driveway and take the kids out fishing.-----No inspection /certification of any kind required.
 
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