Using swim noodles for floatation

[JB Platte]

I have a 16' aluminum boat that I need to reinstall floatation in. I found a good deal on 6ft swim noodles. Has anybody used these before? How many would I need to use and how do you secure them in the hull?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I wouldn't........

 

[blairjbyrd]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

Good thought but i wouldnt use them either.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I have purchased my share of Foam noodles for my Kids. Over time the get Brittle and degrade. They only last a few months.

 

[oops!]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I have a 16' aluminum boa t that I need to reinstall floatation in. I found a good deal on 6ft swim noodles. Has anybody used these before? How many would I need to use and how do you secure them in the hull?

hi jb...welcome to i boats....

your in the wrong forum here....this is for general questions.

the building and restoration sub forum is where you want to be.
noodles have been used lots here with sucess.
and the gurus there can help you on every step of your project.
search in the restoration forum and the completed projects forum

 

[QC]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

Welcome aboard JB (where have I heard that name before? )

I moved this over to the Restoration section. Let's see if oops! has a clue . . .

 

[jspano]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

check ezmobee threads he has photos.
i'm using them too, can't find the sheets here
as lond as it extruded(closed cell) and NOT expanded polystyrene
what does it in is sunlight, most pool noodle are left out in the sun, that will not happen below deck

ez's post(check out whole thread he's good)

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=357767&page=17

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I liked the idea of using old adult sized life jackets

Like another member said, if all else fails, you'd have a bunch of life jackets pop out!

 

[noworries79]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I too am a noodler.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

Absolutely you can use them for flotation. The only reason they become brittle and decay (as stated above) is due to uv exposure and if they are not in direct sunlight they will last.

Many people here have used the pool noodles here.

Another source of flotation is the 2" insulation boards from a building supply house either in pink or blue..... both work fine.

 

[pete44]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I considered swim noodles until I removed more of my (23 yo) old foam yesterday ...If you have to get a pry bar and a hammer to remove the foam from the wood that means it bonded very well...The pour foam when it gets in contact with a surface will bond to it...thus strengthening the boat hull/structure even more...Believe me I would go the cheap way out if I could but you're talking safety and overall structure strength.If you had a hull breach or cracked transom like I did that foam buys you time to save yourself,loved ones or at least your boat.I was blessed that my boat was docked when it started sinking..Also, I am imagining that hull taking a beating when you're hitting waves and if you are down to your bare hull it is not very thick even though it has some flex to it.The manufacturer did not place that foam in there for nothing..If someone did a side by side comparision of pour in foam, noodles , and foam sheets on strength,buoyance and water adhesion/retention as well as cost and sound supression that would direct me likewise.....Just my thoughts...For now, I am still a pour in foam fan.

Pete

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

i was thinking of pour foam but just on the sides and noodles in center the strengthening the boat hull is what i like and noise if you dont want it to stick to hull maybe spraying silicone then pour or plastic sheeting.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

You all are welcome to use whatever flotation you choose. However, mine will always be prettier

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

EZ, I like how you color coded the port and starbord of the boat just in case you get trapped under the deck. That way you'll know which way is which, cool man!

Anybody have some thoughts on going the copper pipe insulation route from HD/Lowes? I wonder if it would be cheaper than noodles?

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

You all are welcome to use whatever flotation you choose. However, mine will always be prettier

looks purty!wish i had taken pics of my job a few boats ago with said same noodles.if you really think about it theres enough there to float a aircraft carrier!very few hulls rely on foam for actual structrual rigidity (aluminium),then theres my type of boat which is wood (cedarstrip)and does not have a lick of foam atall.some glass boats from years ago may have used foam to help strenthen the hulls ,but then again ive seen many that had zero foam in them atall.on a aulm boat i wouldnt think twice about using the noodles as a cheap effective way of adding floatation or sound deadaing.actually why a object floats is all about displacement not what it is made of ,for example, we dont have to look much further than steel boats ,cement boats ,etc.

 

[pete44]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

That aluminum boat you could deadlift with 2 men...A 17 foot fiberglass/wood composite 1900 lbs... My Dad had a '57 Aluma Craft so I am familiar with them...NO FOAM

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

EZ, I like how you color coded the port and starbord of the boat just in case you get trapped under the deck. That way you'll know which way is which, cool man!

LOL that's an old Starcraft trick

Another shade-tree boat builders trick is to use a bunch of pop(soda to you folks outside of Michigan) bottles for flotation...just make sure you screw the caps on first

I'm gonna try to find noodles cheap since they are quieter than the squeaky foam board stuff. If I can't get them cheaply I will try to compress the foam boards under the deck to avoid having squeaks.

 

[bankfisher]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

Anybody have some thoughts on going the copper pipe insulation route from HD/Lowes? I wonder if it would be cheaper than noodles?

I checked on that the other day .97 cents for a 5' stick. Need to check a piece and see if it sucks up any water. I am doing that this weekend!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

I checked on that the other day .97 cents for a 5' stick. Need to check a piece and see if it sucks up any water. I am doing that this weekend!!!

I just did just a little checking and I was finding 50 packs which came out to under a buck each for 6 footers, free shipping. I realize that they are smaller than noodles but I think it would be a good price comparison. Cheers!

 

[sprintst]

Re: Using swim noodles for floatation

How about packing peanuts