Just finished up the 9 page thread! Good read for future Lookers (here's to hoping, right?!).
However, I only read 1 post that said they were able to "wring out water" from the noodle. I, and as I've read many others haven't had that experience. I believe I also read, and correct me if I'm wrong here, 1cubic foot of noodles is the same as 1cubic foot of Extruded polystyrene (block foam from box stores) which is about the same as 1cubic foot of 2lb pour in. All foam, if kept wet(or some variation of wet) will eventually absorb water, this was stated by an engineer iirc.
Now here's what I took away- foam noodles are an inefficient source, as they are round, and using solid noodles is not cheap. The biggest mistake people make is assuming that 1 noodle will float whatever the advertised capacity of that noodle worth of dead weight, it will not. That capacity is based on a human in water, who is already partially buoyant. Calculations must be made based upon 1cu ft.
Now, my opinion and experience, pour in foam in a cavity that will not be air tight is a bad idea. The outer skin will rupture, letting the water in and it NEVER dries out. Along with trying to engineer path ways for water to make its way to the bilge, and wet pour in foam eating away at our precious tinnys!
Glass boats? Pour in FTW!
Extruded polystyrene seems to be the best option, and was my first choice as well as less expensive than all of the noodles however, I screwed that option up, when I got ahead of myself with deck support.
Noodles and EPS both allow water that makes it way past the deck during daily activities to drain to the bilge to be either pumped out or drained using the plug, as well as ample air flow to dry the entire area below deck.
I should have asked sooner JB, but it may not be too late for me to change my direction. Taking I to account my concerns for allowing the area below deck to have air flow, and actually drain; short of cutting out the supports I already welded in to properly fit EPS, what route would you take?
I ask this in earnest.
Thank you again!
Jimmy