Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

[chconger]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

For foam to work, it is supposed to be made up of small closed cells...so water cannot enter each "bubble".

So how did the foam dry out if the cells are closed?

Well...the same way it got wet; because the individual cell walls are now broken open. Probably by freeze / thaw cycles. What you are drying out is no longer flotation foam. Your experimenting with a sponge there.

So you can dry it out yes, but water will re-absorb into it.

 

[joelybob]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

Put a tarp over the boat and put a dehumidifier in boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

If there is no flex in the transom then you can continue with your efforts, they may or may not be successful. But as previously stated it's only a matter of time until the rot begins.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

Well, if it's waiting to rot - i will let it wait a bit more. No time in my calendar for boat rebuild right now. At the end may even have someone to do it for me. Or for himself.

Still looking for vacuum pump and will proceed with drying aid.

I think that the fact that you are looking into the moisture issues in your boat puts you a few steps ahead of many other folks who discover the issue far too late. There is no telling what the outcome will be, but if you routinely monitor the situation, you will know when it is getting worse.

I do have a technique that I will share about testing foam . . . I call it my "coffee can test" . . . Fully submerge the foam in a coffee can full of water and close the lid on it so the foam stays under water. Let it sit over night or even a day or two. After that, free float the foam in the water to see if it floats equally well as prior to being submerged. If it floats equally well as before, then it is OK.

 

[850Merc]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

Expect the worst and hope for the best. The interior looks fantastic, unfortunate that one day it's going to have to come out I'm afraid.

 

[stunt822]

Re: Anyone tried drying foam flotation by vacuum without removing?

Thank you for all the great points, colleagues. It helps to know and understand the situation before planning actions.
Foam indeed partilly turned to sponge - even after a short soak in it did absorb some water. I held it under water for prolonged time as above - it still floats but worse than initially.
Still looking for vacuum pump