Newbie owner looking for boat specific details

[Jermy-Jinky]

This picture shows the two wet spots I found. They're in the exact same spot on both sides, My guess is this is where the manufacturer poured the foam into the voids, and the seal went bad on the plug they filled in the hole with. Also, the WTF circle is showing partially filled voids at the back of the boat...this can't be good, can it?

 

[tpenfield]

Flotation . . .

2lb density is quite common for flotation. 4lb density is used for more 'structural' applications, like foaming in fuel tanks.

The foam that you should be considered is a '2-part' urethane foam 9closed cell) and is (should be) USCG approved.

When you mix the 2 parts of the foam liquid together, you get about 30 seconds to pour it into the chamber that you are filling,. After that amount of time it starts expanding. Heat is your friend when foaming a boat. Make sure the boat and the foam are warm (80-90˚ F). Colder temperatures results in less expansion of the liquid.

2 lb density foam expands to approximately 30 times its original volume if applied in the specified temperatures. Like-wise 4 lb. density foam expands 15 times its original volume.

The amount of foam needed is often figured in 'cubic feet'. 1 cubic foot is the same as 7.5 gallons.

So, a 2 gallon 'kit' of foam will expand to 60 gallons of cured foam which is 60/7.5 = 8 cubic feet.

A cubic foot of foam provides about 60 lbs of flotation. So, a 2 gallon kit will get you about 480 lbs of flotation. Not sure how the advertising company came up with 300 lbs, but perhaps they are being conservative in their numbers.

As for calculating how much foam your boat needs, grab your tape measure and a geometry book and figure out the volume of the chambers or areas you plan on filling.

I hope this helps

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

I hope this helps

More than you know! Thank you!
Since I have most of the decking out anyway, and I have those two bad spots in my foam and partially filled chambers...and depending on how much it'll end up needing, I might just replace the foam...

So, the floatation foam is just under the floor decking?

Removing the old foam is just good old fashioned elbow grease and a good putty knife, right?

 

[briangcc]

Some have mentioned that a wire wheel on a drill/grinder will go much faster. Have a respirator and safety goggles as the stuff will fly.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd remove the foam from the wet areas and drill-check the stringers on either side. For removing large sections of foam, I found the claw end of a framing hammer worked well, and then a wire cup brush to clean up the leftovers. The nice thing about removing the foam in chunks (as opposed to obliterating it with a wire wheel) is that you can inspect the chunks of foam for moisture as your remove them.

I wouldn't worry about the partially filled voids. Pouring foam is not an exact science and it's probably better to have a few voids than to overfill the cavity and break stuff as the foam expands.

 

[poconojoe]

Just wanting to get your "feet wet" I think was a poor choice of words!
That statement made me chuckle!

Good luck on your project.
Hope you get things fixed up so you can enjoy this boating season.

Take lots of pictures!

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

I'd remove the foam from the wet areas and drill-check the stringers on either side. For removing large sections of foam, I found the claw end of a framing hammer worked well, and then a wire cup brush to clean up the leftovers. The nice thing about removing the foam in chunks (as opposed to obliterating it with a wire wheel) is that you can inspect the chunks of foam for moisture as your remove them.

I wouldn't worry about the partially filled voids. Pouring foam is not an exact science and it's probably better to have a few voids than to overfill the cavity and break stuff as the foam expands.

If i find the foam to start being OK, can I stop removing it and just add new to replace what I've removed?

I apologize...I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times in other posts....is there a "best practice" when pouring in the new foam to get the best fill? Do I put the new deck on first and make holes to fill from, or do I foam first, then trim as needed and then new deck?

Also, on the topic of floatation...what about the ski locker? Is anything gained from deleting it and filling it with foam? or would this make the boat float improperly?

 

[jhande]

Also, on the topic of floatation...what about the ski locker? Is anything gained from deleting it and filling it with foam? or would this make the boat float improperly?

Actually the form inside the hull is not for floating the boat while using it. It is there to help it not sink like a brick when taking on water. If you don't need the ski locker foaming it won't hurt.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

Just wanting to get your "feet wet" I think was a poor choice of words!
That statement made me chuckle!

Good luck on your project.
Hope you get things fixed up so you can enjoy this boating season.

Take lots of pictures!

Thanks...I'm glad you got a laugh from it! That was my intention...I'm trying to stay optimistic about this boat and project. It was an unexpected gift from my wife and it was a super spur of the moment purchase without any real thought and no inspection. I've wanted a boat my entire life, and we are just now in a spot in our lives where it's feasible to own one. She thought this was a great project and starter boat. We are both learning together and I'm not one to be defeated by a project (as long as it doesn't get cost prohibitive). I'm not going to drop thousands into a boat of this grade. I know when to fish or cut bait. I'll be taking lots of during pictures, and even more after pictures! If it was up to me, I'd live on a boat.

 

[JASinIL2006]

If i find the foam to start being OK, can I stop removing it and just add new to replace what I've removed?

I apologize...I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times in other posts....is there a "best practice" when pouring in the new foam to get the best fill? Do I put the new deck on first and make holes to fill from, or do I foam first, then trim as needed and then new deck?

Also, on the topic of floatation...what about the ski locker? Is anything gained from deleting it and filling it with foam? or would this make the boat float improperly?

If the foam and stringers are OK, you can fill the holes in the stringers with 3m 5200 and replace the foam. For large areas, I think it's preferable to install the deck and cut some holes to pour the foam into. For a smaller area, I'd be inclined to pour the foam before decking it, and if needed, shave off the top of the foam so the deck will sit flat. (If you do the latter, you could even paint the cut foam with latex paint to seal to foam's surface.)

It still is a good idea to core sample other areas, though. In my boat, I'd find pockets of wet foam, then I'd run into dry foam, only to find more wet foam further forward in the boat.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

Actually the form inside the hull is not for floating the boat while using it. It is there to help it not sink like a brick when taking on water. If you don't need the ski locker foaming it won't hurt.

Thanks! The only use I really have for the ski locker would be for storage of something...I don't know what...since it'll just get wet all of the time from swimming. I'm definitely not going to be pulling skiers, so I can't think of an actual "need" for it.

 

[JASinIL2006]

It seems there never is enough storage space on a boat... I'd think twice before foaming in the locker. That can be a handy place to store stuff that can handle getting wet.

 

[hugh g]

If i find the foam to start being OK, can I stop removing it and just add new to replace what I've removed?

I apologize...I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times in other posts....is there a "best practice" when pouring in the new foam to get the best fill? Do I put the new deck on first and make holes to fill from, or do I foam first, then trim as needed and then new deck?

Also, on the topic of floatation...what about the ski locker? Is anything gained from deleting it and filling it with foam? or would this make the boat float improperly?

If I was doing it & the deck was off I would pour the foam & once it cured just trim off the excess. It will be messy but the way that stuff expands you're less likely to blow something out. Up to you on the ski locker. I used mine to store fishing gear, etc so I left it the way it was. If you find any wet foam, get rid of it. It will never dry out & adds weight to the boat.

 

[poconojoe]

It seems there never is enough storage space on a boat... I'd think twice before foaming in the locker. That can be a handy place to store stuff that can handle getting wet.

I agree!
And it's not just for skis.
Nobody skis on my boat, but we do use the "ski locker".

I store docking bumpers and a quick fold plastic table for lunches.

Also, I'm always checking for water in there. You never know...
If there's any condensation, I'll leave the hatch off for a while.
And I always make sure those drain tubes between forward section, ski locker and aft section are clear of any possible debris. You don't want them to clog up. Any possible water needs to freely flow back to the bilge pump.

The ski locker gives you a visual of the inside of your hull. Any areas that are decked over are a mystery.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

If I was doing it & the deck was off I would pour the foam & once it cured just trim off the excess. It will be messy but the way that stuff expands you're less likely to blow something out. Up to you on the ski locker. I used mine to store fishing gear, etc so I left it the way it was. If you find any wet foam, get rid of it. It will never dry out & adds weight to the boat.

Thanks! That's kind of what I was thinking with the foam too. I was a little worried I'd go through the time and expense of fixing everything just to damage something with the new foam.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

I agree!
And it's not just for skis.
Nobody skis on my boat, but we do use the "ski locker".

I store docking bumpers and a quick fold plastic table for lunches.

Also, I'm always checking for water in there. You never know...
If there's any condensation, I'll leave the hatch off for a while.
And I always make sure those drain tubes between forward section, ski locker and aft section are clear of any possible debris. You don't want them to clog up. Any possible water needs to freely flow back to the bilge pump.

The ski locker gives you a visual of the inside of your hull. Any areas that are decked over are a mystery.

I was thinking that's where I'd store my fenders. My boat doesn't have a lot of storage...seems like a lot less than any other boat I've used. I have under the small bow seats, the two back-to-back seats, the ski locker, and a little room under the transom seats between the battery box and fuel tank. Once I put in all of the equipment that I need (PFDs, dock lines, anchor, etc...) those spaces will fill up pretty quickly.
I was worried about the drain tubes, and water in there as well...I've made up my mind...the locker is staying. Plus, mine has a cool looking slatted teak cover that I'm going to refinish.
I didn't think about throwing my folding table in the locker! That's a genius idea! It's kind of PIA to make sandwiches on the console dash or seats

 

[hugh g]

I was thinking that's where I'd store my fenders. My boat doesn't have a lot of storage...seems like a lot less than any other boat I've used. I have under the small bow seats, the two back-to-back seats, the ski locker, and a little room under the transom seats between the battery box and fuel tank. Once I put in all of the equipment that I need (PFDs, dock lines, anchor, etc...) those spaces will fill up pretty quickly.
I was worried about the drain tubes, and water in there as well...I've made up my mind...the locker is staying. Plus, mine has a cool looking slatted teak cover that I'm going to refinish.
I didn't think about throwing my folding table in the locker! That's a genius idea! It's kind of PIA to make sandwiches on the console dash or seats

My ski locker was carpeted & because of poor drainage it was always wet. I used to get in there with my shop vac to suck up the water because it would never dry on it's own.

 

[Grub54891]

For cutting out the foam, I used an electric knife. I did buy a new one for the wife though.... Anyway, easy to slice deep and knock out the cubes. Cleaned it up with a wire wheel and a sanding disk on the angle grinder.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

For cutting out the foam, I used an electric knife. I did buy a new one for the wife though.... Anyway, easy to slice deep and knock out the cubes. Cleaned it up with a wire wheel and a sanding disk on the angle grinder.

Oh, nice! I like this idea, thanks for sharing! Now, if it would stop raining so I can get to work, that'd be fantastic...I'm trying to get this thing ready before August.

 

[Jermy-Jinky]

My ski locker was carpeted & because of poor drainage it was always wet. I used to get in there with my shop vac to suck up the water because it would never dry on it's own.

Mine was carpeted too...it was pretty grody in there. I quickly decided that that was not well thought out by the manufacturer and am opting to do truck bed liner in there.