Foam Core - Key West Boats

[gstraub]

I just made a bid on a damaged Key West 2020WA. There is a rather large hole above water line....not worried about that. However, the fiberglass along the keel was cracked a few feet from the aft end. I couldn't push a knife through, so the laminate is still generally intact. Unfortunately, the hull must have absorbed some water as the break was still wet and dripping some water. My question is if anyone knows what kind of foam Key West uses in the hull (below the waterline if different for different parts of the boat). I just want to be sure that it is closed cell so that I have some assurance that I can get the water out! Or, am I just biting off more than I can chew??Any other comments on this situation are welcome!Thanks in advance.Gerhard

[Solittle]

For your sake I hope that someone bid more than you did. No matter what the foam a cracked keel is big bad news.

[Major Woods]

Boat is cored with Klegecell coring.

[Uncle Dave]

Major Woods,Or anyone. Can you give us a rundown on the different types of "floatation foam" as used by manufactures.US composties seems to have the best after market foam by concensus of the board members.There is foam that stays wet and never seems to take on water. Some of it spends years holding up floating docks. I recently removed foam from a "wet hull" , and even tho it was wet it had hot taken on any water. Others say they have water logged foam. Can a manufacture use foam that will take on water?? Would they not be liable if an accident occures?Thanks,Fitz.

[gstraub]

I sort of misspoke. The outside laminate was cracked along the center line of the hull for about 8 inches...I don't think the keel really had any structural damage. According to the manufacturer, the area I described would have even missed any of the stringers. The foam is apparently nonsaturable and there is no foam at that particular point in the hull. ...and...yes, someone bid more than me. Actually, the motor alone was worth more than my bid, so even if I had to saw the hull into little bits, I would have probably been ahead.Oh well...