rippin out a floor

[fishfrenzy6969]

I am replacing the deck in my 15' ash craft and it has two foam filled box 's in the rear ,one on each side can i do away with these or do they have to go back in? i was told by a friend of mine that they r for sinking purpose's not floatation?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: rippin out a floor

Generally foam is used to meet the USCG requirements that boats float even if full of water. A secondary use of foam is to reinforce the hull.

I would think yours is required for one or both of those reasons.

 

[oops!]

Re: rippin out a floor

fish frenzy......welcome to i boats......


there is a lot of really good discussions on foam here on this forum.....just hit search......wet foam......

since the boxes are in the back of the boat and not all the way fore and aft.....the foam might not be structural in your case......while the uscg rules say it has to be put in by the manufacturers.............there is some speculation weither home boat builders are required to put it in.....

a lot of guys dont.

the down side is if the boat goes down.....there could be some insurance issues.

your call