Floation Foam

[jspano]

i'm starting to think ahead and want a plan to refoam my boat (21 ft starcraft
mariner).

thinking about cutting foam out with an electric knife


i will look into the foam boards from the big box stores(not sure if they carry them in central fla.)... any alternatives


also any good links on how to secure the foam ( isearched and only found pics of fiberglass boats)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Floation Foam

Under the decking the foam can stay "free range"..... just cut to fit and it will not go anywhere.

Electric knife, utility knife or harbor freight sells a "Hot" blade cutter.

A circular saw will have a unique pink or blue snow event in your work area!!

Please try to keep all your questions on a single boat re-build in one thread.....no need for all of these threads to be started when you have a new question

 

[jspano]

Re: Floation Foam

sorry about the threads

can they all be moved into 1 title 86' starcraft restore

 

[Beeched]

Re: Floation Foam

As to your question on the foam. I started out with a big kitchen knife, graduated to an electric knife. That was a lot of work either way. I had a lot of saturated foam to cut out. I asked for a easier way. The answer, use a spade. My floor was out so I hopped up in the boat with a shovel. Within an hour I had the foam out and was bagging it up.

I then put down the new floor and used pour in foam. I used the pour in due to the foam being used to strenghen the hull.

Wish you well with your project. These are alot of work, but a lot of fun.

 

[jspano]

Re: Floation Foam

the further i get in the better the foam is!!!
i also think the injected foam helps support the stringers. i might just do the rear of the foam.
has anyone ever heard of a way to seal the foam???

i have pulled pcs. out and placed in a large bucket of water with a brick on it and it doesn't seem to hold any water. it's a 1986 maybe the foam is good!!!
going to have to think about this

 

[mikastorm]

Re: Floation Foam

I,ld still ditch the old foam. But thats me.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Floation Foam

where can i find this pour in foam? I'm in the process of replaceing my deck as back 1/4 is rotted and water logged(the foam) watrer logged.it wieghts alot for foam. towartds the center its lighter were it dry..

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Floation Foam

jspano stick with the foam sheets you dont want to mess with the poured in stuff with an aluminum boat . I assure you they sell it in Fla I grew up in Tampa and have been in construction most of my adult life . The foam sheets wont soak up water like the poured in stuff will ( the reason you are removing it now ) .


Rick

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Floation Foam

Also i found a drywall knife/jab saw works pretty well. i include pictures

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: Floation Foam

I use my battery powered sawsall with a long, very coarse blade.
Works great!
Of course you do have to know what you're cutting into...

 

[jspano]

Re: Floation Foam

the more foam i take out the looser the stringers are it appears that the foam was supporting the stringers.
i'm sur i'll have to re-rivit them, but it seems they will be very filmsy.
does anyone have any photos of an alum. make over with the foam boards.
i searched and only saw fiber glass boats with the foam. is there a link to look at.


jspano

 

[lakelover]

Re: Floation Foam

Hi,
bananaboater has some pics of the sheet foam installed in his aluminum hull here:

http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/bananabert/Boat/

 

[joenapier]

Re: Floation Foam

I took a 1977 Century Arabian down to the stringers last year. The foam was soggy from the transom all the way up to under the dash. I used a small garden shovel with a sharpened edge and a drywall saw to remove most of it.

There has been discussion on these forums about replacing the foam - replace or not to replace, USCG rules for restored boats and boat length, etc... I would recommend doing it. For one, as you said, it does give the floor, joists, and perhaps the stringers some extra support. I found it firms up the plywood floor and deadens the hollow sound as you stamp on it. It is also safer - with enough foam your boat will not sink entirely.

I collected empty 2-liter coke bottles with the caps on them and put them under the floor to save some money on foam.

One word of caution with the foam. Do some volumetric calculations and do not put too much foam under there. Like Greatstuff, the foam expands with a lot of strength and you can buckle your floor.

I did the math and this is the best foam for the money, I believe:
http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

Have fun with your restoration!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Floation Foam

has anyone ever heard of a way to seal the foam???

jspano,
you can seal the foam with almost anything that is watertight, You can also use resin or even paint.
This is one topic that you will get a lot of opinions on to say the least. :redface:
I will keep mine to myself.
Good luck with your decision.
Bob