Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

[fl_dolphin]

I have a 16' ~3' wide fiberglass Gheenoe like river boat with a 5 hp Honda four stroke. It's not aa wide as Gheenoe but has a flat transom. I am having a hard time with stability while standing fishing. I am going to add some pontoons however,This boat will go to the bottom if punctured. I would like to add some flotation to it. There is not enough room inside the boat. I am hopping I could add some Polyethylene Foam to the bottom of the boat and glass over it. Also I have some metal roofing 10' long and 3' wide that I can sandwich in. Is this a stupid idea or can any part of it work ?:facepalm:

 

[Three08]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

If the boat doesn't have a floor I would look at adding the foam under the seats, if you put in a floor your not going to have much space between that new floor and sides. It would probably be an issue with leg space when your sitting to.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

Ayuh,... Isn't there floatation already built into the bow, 'n center seat,..??

It sounds to me like yer tryin' to overload yer canoe,...
Standin' in a canoe is Always a Bad idea anyways....

Ya really gotta understand the limitations of yer choice in hulls....
A Canoe is never gonna be a rowboat....

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

What you need is a 2 stroke on that boat ..

One arm strokes first .. then the other arm strokes second.

Its a modified pram/canoe . .. there is no reason for floatation. Life jackets would be your best bet.

Put in it the river and SIT down.

or.. buy another boat that seats your butt and legs.

YD.

 

[BillP]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

This is an easy fix but you will have to give up some foot space. Find some large chunks of poly foam and strap them under the open seats. The boat probably weighs in around 100lbs and it doesn't take much foam. In the past I got large foam chunks at a local kayak dealer. They stuff the foam under the front deck to prevent caving in during shipment. They also use this type foam for flotation in small kayaks...stuffed unter the front and rear decks and held in with long screws from the top. If you don't want to do foam they make flotation bags for kayaks...blow them up and tie them in. One of my kayaks has a bag and it is still working after 12 yrs!
I have a 15'-4" Gheenoe with 5hp 4 stroke. The floation is glassed in under the three seats.

bp

 

[fl_dolphin]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

If the boat doesn't have a floor I would look at adding the foam under the seats, if you put in a floor your not going to have much space between that new floor and sides. It would probably be an issue with leg space when your sitting to.

Nevermind I bought a 1975 15'4" Gheenoe. I'm good now. Thanks

 

[logan944t]

Re: Small single layer Fiberglass Boat need additional Flotation

I know exactly what your saying. I have a 16' canoe that I bay fish in and unless its a nice calm day--well it was a challenge.


My solution was to make a 4' long-- 2' wide--2' high pontoon. I used that blue board from lowes--cut to shape, glued together --with a piece of plywood running down the center --then sanded with a belt sander to get a "bow" to it. I then covered it in paint and fiberglassed over it. I put 2 holes into the foam thru the plywood and screwed 2 2x2's as spars. I connected the spars to the middle and forward seat.

The result was that I could stand and walk around easily-- and it added a lot of safety for those "small" 1' waves that would have turned me over before. When I was underway I simply leaned to the side to get the whole pontoon out of the water and go a bit faster. It was also a great platform to land fish until I could control them without getting stuck or bit ( pinfish, catfish sting a bit --but the sharks mean business).

Unfortunately after all of that work ( including a motor mount for a 3.5 hp engine) I noticed the bottom oilcanning in a big way and I havent used it since.