Flotation Foam

[audio options]

not sure if this is in the right section but, is flotation foam the same as expanding foam? I took my cougar cub apart and was trying to redo everything, when I got the back end apart it looked like someone had just shot "great stuff" expanding foam throughout.... will this work or do I need something specific for marine applications?

[XstreamVking]

If you want to replace the foam, I would only use the marine type expanding foam. Gotta be carefull with it though. As it expands it will put pressure on the surrounding area and sometimes cause damage. Little bit at a time when you pour it in and let it fully expand before adding more... Use the low density 3lb. type. If poss. post some pics. May be other options to replacing it...

[albypine]

my virage had that crap in it, was wet so it was removed and not put back:D did nothing but take up space in my boat

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

my virage had that crap in it, was wet so it was removed and not put back:D did nothing but take up space in my boat I have repaired many boats over the years that have had flotation foam added to the build of the boat which has created major problem's for there owners because it absorbs water like a sponge and creates rot to the point where i have had to replace stringers and flooring because of it . I have to say that if you must use foam again i also would recomend a marine type 4 lb low density foam and try to keep it in cell form because over long periods of time if exposed to water it will start to absorb it . Audio Options , this site explains the different types of foam and there uses which might be helpful http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

[tunnels]

not sure if this is in the right section but, is flotation foam the same as expanding foam? I took my cougar cub apart and was trying to redo everything, when I got the back end apart it looked like someone had just shot "great stuff" expanding foam throughout.... will this work or do I need something specific for marine applications?

Foam underfloors and the like is a pain and will and does soak water over a period of time so water = added weight . bettr to leave it out !
It does help a little with making hull ridged her and there , But its better to be kept up under decks and places where it wont get water on it .I carry my 3 tote tanks under my front deck and they would act as floatation in the even of a total swamping or a hole in the hull . I have a bulge pump 3 times bigger than whats recomended for a boat my size .:thumbsup:

[audio options]

I still have the foam in the front which was factory in both sponsons, I just wasnt sure if I needed it in the rear. It looks like there was some from the factory on both left and right side in the very rear but everything beyond that looks just like someone went through it with "great stuff". I wasnt sure if it was there for a reason or not

[tunnels]

I still have the foam in the front which was factory in both sponsons, I just wasnt sure if I needed it in the rear. It looks like there was some from the factory on both left and right side in the very rear but everything beyond that looks just like someone went through it with "great stuff". I wasnt sure if it was there for a reason or not
really and truly speaking at what end of the boat is the most tresured and important part ?? front (sharp end ) 0r the back ( with your pride and joy hanging there ) so why do we want the back to sink and the front to float ?? defies all logic dont you think !! ummmm ?:confused:

[albypine]

i can see on a thin boat for support,but the virage is no light weight. only had foam in the sponsons wich did not have drain holes to let water out if it got in them witch over time it does.. far as sinking all i can say is good luck. thats why we wear pfd's ....

[albypine]

put a life line on your motor if ya think you can get the motor to float up lol... good luck and make sure you take lots of pictures bow under water and motor still dry if it sinks

[tunnels]

i can see on a thin boat for support,but the virage is no light weight. only had foam in the sponsons wich did not have drain holes to let water out if it got in them witch over time it does.. far as sinking all i can say is good luck. thats why we wear pfd's ....
Funny years ago a friend and i developed a inflateable tube system that would automaticly inflate withCO2 cylinders it had a tube in the back out of sight that would hold the whole back of a boat afloat including the motor and a smaller one at the front that would keep the front afloat AND IT WAS CAPABLE OF HOLDING THE BOAT LEVEL AND SUPPORT 4 ADULTS STANDING INSIDE THE BOAT FILLED WITH WATER .
NO ONE WAS INTERESTED ! The whole system was about the price installed ready to go of 4 really good life jacket that would have only save the people and you boat would sink !!
question how did we achieve holding the boat afloat ?? where would you place the tubes ?? :confused:

[flabum1017]

I use pool noodles..... the big ones. Ty-wrapped under the gunwalls and stuffed up into the bow and in the transom on either side of the well. Have about 15 of them in my boat.

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

When i worked at Skater we sometimes filled the sponson tip's ( pickles ) with ping bong balls in netted laundry bags , no rot , no fuss .

[jimnello]

When I worked for a Boat Manufacturer here in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I conducted tests on expanding foams. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Test was simple, mix and pour into a bucket, then when cured according to the instructions weigh it down in a swimming pool for 5 days. Every test I did resulted in the foam acting like a sponge and absorbing water. <o:p></o:p>
I eventually found one that formed a skin when it expanded and it remained dry. I did the test on this brand again and made a hole in the skin, it then absorbed water.<o:p></o:p>
Also I don’t believe that expanding foam should be used as a structural component in a boat, it isn’t what is designed for, nor does it have any strength what so ever when it is full of water.<o:p></o:p>
Ping Pong balls maybe a good answer for floatation, I wonder if any wet resin gets on them would destroy them or not? What life would they have before they degraded? Same for pool noodles???<o:p></o:p>

[flabum1017]

Ping Pong balls maybe a good answer for floatation, I wonder if any wet resin gets on them would destroy them or not? What life would they have before they degraded? Same for pool noodles???<o:p></o:p>


Doesn't matter, they're cheap enough to replace every year or two.........

[XstreamVking]

You could always design air chambers to be built into the boat. Wouldn't hold water, or add much weight...

[KonaKustoms]

I have found air up beach balls are a good thing to use for this also

[mr_velocity]

When i worked at Skater we sometimes filled the sponson tip's ( pickles ) with ping bong balls in netted laundry bags , no rot , no fuss .

Many many years ago there was a boat that came apart in the Benehana that used ping pong balls. There were balls over over the place when the boat came apart.

Not 100% sure, but I swear all the foam under the floor of my funcat was there for more than just flotation because once removed you could push on the bottom and get it to flex.

When I rolled the skater at the world championships in key west she just floated upside down. First thought until I got the full time air system disconnected from my helmet was the boat is going down and taking me with it. But she just floated there upside down.

[KonaKustoms]

I do restorations and found clear plastic balls (like beach balls) under the deck area of a couple Nordic tunnel hulls. Thats where I got the idea from. I have seen ping pong balls also.