Using Expanding foam

[ktool]

I was wondering if anyone would know if it is safe to use two part polyurethane expanding foam in the tubes of the inflatable. I have an older zodiac and I keep on having to seal pin holes. Some one said just pour the polyurethane expanding foam into the tube. The foam will expand and then the tubes will not need any air to fill them up. They use this on the Coast Gaurd inflatables.

 

[bravo-cobra-omc]

Re: Using Expanding foam

not a boat builder but foam will be heavier than air so will not be as bouyant
as if fillled with air.
also depends on density of cured foam, as it wll have a lbs/cuft weight
and compare that to density of water as the space is displacing water
so it would work better on a craft with specific volume designed for foam fill
taking in count for foam weight for final buoyancy.

 

[bayman]

Re: Using Expanding foam

The boat would definitely be heavier. I've made 2 part foam tubes in the past and inflatables are much lighter. The foam can expand rapidly so it would take a healthy amount of care to make sure you don't burst the tubes.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Using Expanding foam

I have tried it before, it does work if you can do it properly and have a few guys with you to help you .... the thing is that the foam never fills evenly so you end up with hollow spots, what you need to do it basically have guys to hold the boat up and full it so the foam expand from the bottom up towards the valve ..... it is actually a tough thing to do right ....

 

[bayman]

Re: Using Expanding foam

It does seem like it would be difficult. The foam also costs good money.