To foam or not

[geo7]

Hello, I am restoring a 1981 Grady White. I have gutted the boat and replaced all the stringers. I repaired the transom rot with new wood. The stringers are now glassed in. My question is should I replace the foam that was in the boat. I am reluctunt to refoam for the following reasons. I cannot put enough foam to support the boat in event of sinking. The old foam got wet and weighed several hundred pounds when taken out. If I do not foam water can flow between the stringers to the motor bilge to be pumped out. Your opinions please.

 

[andy6374]

Re: To foam or not

Did you cut limber holes in the stringers where they connect to the transom? This will facillitate flow to the bilge from the outside stringer grid system.

Was your original deck supported by the stringers or foam?

I'd foam. In the event of taking on lots of water, the foam should give you enough reserve buoyancy to make it home before you sink.

If the boat is maintained properly from hereonin, ie. sealing deck hardware properly, etc, then the foam shouldn't get soaked again.

Also, the foam adds a slight structural component to the boat that you'd be losing.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: To foam or not

Empty soda bottles Read this forum. Use empty bottles and you can use less foam. I believe that 1 gallon of air will make 63 lbs float (someone will correct me if I am wrong).

Do not go w/o flotation - the risk is just not worth it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: To foam or not

Hello, I am restoring a 1981 Grady White. I have gutted the boat and replaced all the stringers. I repaired the transom rot with new wood. The stringers are now glassed in. My question is should I replace the foam that was in the boat. I am reluctunt to refoam for the following reasons. I cannot put enough foam to support the boat in event of sinking. The old foam got wet and weighed several hundred pounds when taken out. If I do not foam water can flow between the stringers to the motor bilge to be pumped out. Your opinions please.

Lot's of info on this subject and with opposing veiw's from some very well informed individual's. I cannot speak to the type of foam mfg's used say 5/10 years ago, however, in today's world one can purchase a closed cell polyurethane.

I do not believe they used this type of product hence all the water logged foam that is evident in these forums. Does any one know if indeed they did use a closed cell poly foam?

Anyways I used closed cell poly in a boat with the following amature observations, tremdous adhesion qualities bonding the whole system together, filled all the voids eliminating any area water could gather or pentrate, and added incredible strength to the floor, feels like im jumping on concrete rather than wood. (used 9lb overkill im sure) and with kids i would not take any chances for a couple of hundred bucks. (flotation issues)

US Composites has very good pricing......but there handling fees are heavy........... Strictly a opinion here.

 

[i386]

Re: To foam or not

I would not omit some sort of flotation in there no matter which you choose.

 

[Bondo]

Re: To foam or not

I'd go with Soda Bottles where they'll Fit,.........

And,...... A Couple of Big Bilge Pumps,.................

Foam is Foam,...... It was called Closed Cell 20 Years ago,+ it Still takes on,+ Holds Water.........

There'll Never be Foam in any of My rebuilds,............... Period............

 

[Buttanic]

Re: To foam or not

I'd go with Soda Bottles where they'll Fit,.........

And,...... A Couple of Big Bilge Pumps,.................

Foam is Foam,...... It was called Closed Cell 20 Years ago,+ it Still takes on,+ Holds Water.........

There'll Never be Foam in any of My rebuilds,............... Period............[/quote


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