hull reinforcement, possible

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

You would have to reinforce the back stringers of the hull. The 110-140 engine mounts 70% of the weight to the transom " look at the rear mounts" not on the stringers but the transom. v6 - v8 mount on the stringers " look at the stringers in your Star craft. I didn't think you would mount a v6 or v8 to that.

Can it be done yes but you need to reinforce the stringer system. The transom is ok no transoms that use a Mercruiser are thicker than 2" thats the Mercruiser spec for their engine & outdrive to align properly, even if its a fiberglass 36' cruiser with a big block.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

Azlo Bond-O put a 4.3 in a Starcraft I remember Kev mentioning it .



Rick

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

Rick it can be done but you need to shift the weight from the transom to the floor. If you look at any boat that has a 4.3 v6 it mounts all 4 engine mounts on bottom to the stringer which is usually about a 2" thick stringer.

You would have to make a wood stringer that runs along the aluminum stringers and fasten them together and mount the engine to it.

4cyl Mercruisers hang the rear of the engine on the inner transom housing. The rear 2 mounts of the engine are up high , mid engine and one pivot mount in the front center.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

a good name for the boat with the big motor might just be 'Sianara 'like it goes away real fast '.or might just go away forever. There is usually a reason that certian sized boats have limits on power options. Alzo' you need a welded heavy hull and a big inboard engine. also a very good life vest might be in order. A Duckworth or Weldcraft might be a good choice.

 

[Azlo]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

LOL , I might consider the name to my boat Puget Sound.
Thanks everybody, i love constructive criticism and a good debate any day. U do have to love the ideas and opinions that anybody has from a passion, but that's how we have invented and improved upon. Just like Edison said that ac/dc voltage would kill people if ever installed in buildings and demonstrated it by frying an elephant with ac/dc electricity, but Tesla s idea triumphed and yes its dangerous but by experimenting and learning the dangers we are able to control and benefit from the efficiency of ac/dc electricity. In the early days people were drop jawed at the automotive industry for storing flammable liquid in buggys to run, known today as fuel (gas). So point is that yes they will be failures and a lot of "I told u so" s but we can never know if it could be better, more efficient, or stronger for that matter, if we don't propose and execute an idea, even if its contrary to belief.

Alright enough im gonna get my Everclear and work on my boat.

 

[ancashion]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

Want a reinforced hull? Light weight and ridged? Easy!

4 lb. pour in foam.

Easy, reliable and one day might just save your life.

I know.. amongst all the people who say it doesn't do anything but rot the stringers or floor.. I offer a different view of foam for aluminum boats, particularly riveted aluminum boats. See, why would a rivet ever leak? Expansion and contraction? I think not. Hull movement is more likely. If 4 lb foam was used between the hull and deck, with a compressive strength of 90 psi I can't imagine the hull having much chance to move.

Here's the stats;

Product Information:
Free Rise Density: 4.0 lbs cubic ft.
Expansion Rate: Approx. 15x Liquid Volume
Buoyancy (flotation): 58 LBs per Cubic Ft.

*Physical Properties:
Parallel Compressive Strength: 90 psi
Tensile Strength: 110 psi
Shear Strength: 70 psi
Flexural Strength: 120 psi

This is only a discussion about the foams ability to add rigidity to a hull, keep the hull from movement, glue the deck to the hull and add compressive strength. For this reason alone I will be adding it back to my Starcraft Islander.

For the other side of the foams properties, it's floatation, I don't know where you're at or what your intentions are with the boat. My Starcraft will be used nearly exclusively in the North West Pacific Ocean. Looking at how much flotation they added to the sides, gunwales and rear of the boat and knowing how much foam I took out I can nearly guarantee the boat, even swamped will float, just below the water line, as intended. To me, I'll gladly replace the deck in my boat every 10 years to know that my passengers, if it ever happens will have more of a chance of surviving an accident if the hull continues to float rather than relying simply on PFDs. Hell, my VHF radio will work for 30 minutes under 1 meter of water provided everything else holds up. Without the foam, the boat will sink taking your VHF radio, still working and probably your PFD's with it to the bottom of the ocean. This is my personal opinion of foam for my use and I don't expect it to apply to your situation. If you can see it, great. If not, that's okay too. What it adds for structure can't be matched by anything else pound for pound. It's abilities are there if you can get past the fact that it'll suck up water and ruin the deck of your boat. Give a little and get alot!

Good luck on your search!

 

[Azlo]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

ancashion great post. In all the aluminum bracing talk i would of never thought of bringing foam into view. I tempted to try this. Hull Reinforcement in a can, hmmmm. Has anybody tried this and with what results.??? I tempted to try this.

 

[ancashion]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

ancashion great post. In all the aluminum bracing talk i would of never thought of bringing foam into view. I tempted to try this. Hull Reinforcement in a can, hmmmm. Has anybody tried this and with what results.??? I tempted to try this.

Simple experiment. Get a can of coca cola or pepsi and shake the **** out of it. Feel how hard it gets? Same idea inside a foamed aluminum boat, right?

 

[Azlo]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

Dam to foam or not to foam?! Will it rot aluminum? Even if its closed cell foam?
Man this interesting.

 

[ancashion]

Re: hull reinforcement, possible

The hull of my boat's foam was probably soaked for years with no (apparent) ill effects to the aluminum hull. The fuel tank was aluminum too though and rotted to hell so I can't say yes or no. Yes, it CAN rot aluminum. Will it rot the hull? Was there a difference in alloy between the aluminum tank and the hull that created electrolysis and removed slowly the aluminum tank and placed it on the hull? Why did the tank rot and not the hull itself?

Many people here recommend gluv-it to anyone with a riveted boat so my suggestion would also be to use it. It'll provide a barrier between the aluminum and the foam thus preventing water penetration to the hull when the foam gets soaked and ultimately preventing hull rot.

Whatever you decide, come back and let us know!