Reinstall the Floatation or chunk it?

[B.Leonard]

I'm almost ready to install the floor. The original floatation underneath was Styrofoam blocks. It didn't seem like it was hurting much under there in spite of it being 30 years old. I'm wondering if its worth the hassle of squeezing it all back in. I don't know if there was enough there to really matter. It might help deaden some sound if anything. Since I have moved the fuel cell and battery mostly below the floor I'll have to leave some out anyway.

Any thoughts? (See attachment)

-bll

[Techno]

If the foam is enough to float the boat I would put it in. IF the boat ever sinks you'll have it bobbing right there on the surface. It can also be used as a raft if you were hurt or something.



If you only boat in 10-15' of water it probably doesn't matter. A rope and float would do about the same as floatation.

If there aren't any big negatives about it I would go for it.

[tombrown]

I'd put the foam back in.

Also, before putting in the foam I would think about run ning a pair of 28 gauge wires to each cell. You can epoxy in the wires so the bulk heads don't leak and just leave the bared ends about .5 inches appart right down at the keel. A 1/32 inch hole for each wire would be all it would take. With the wires run to bilge or dash area, you could install an extremely simple circuit that will light an LED if water gets into the cell.

I don't have the circuit handy but I'm pretty sure I could find it or just create it again. As I recall it consisted of about 4 discrete components including the LED and cost the better part of a buck. It just watches the resistance between the wires. The resistance will go down if water bridges the two wires. I use one to tell if I have water in my bilge so I don't have to look. Let me know if you'd like the circuit and I'll have a look and send it to you.


Regards,

Tom Brown

[ShipBear]

I've been thinking about something like that..Think you can also send me the Info..Like to have one in each sponson..hooked up to warning lights..

Thanks, Larry :D
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My pumps are auto..BUT.....lol