Waterlogged foam

[marife]

After reading through multiple posts, here and in other sites I note that the general concensus is that once foam is waterlogged there are two options, remove foam, replace foam or sell boat. This is well and fine, but now my post: water and gravity do not llike each other therefore why can't gravity be allowed do do its work (a couple of months perhaps..) If the boat is sitting in a warm area some will evaporate by opening say a bulkhead and letting air circulate...and the rest will simply flow out of the boat

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Laws of gravity don't apply to water logged foam There is just too much cellular structure that captures and holds the water.

I reworked a boat a couple years ago that has waterlogged foam. I cut the floor away leaving the foam fully exposed to the summer sun for 4 weeks. Much to my dismay, only the top 1/2" or so had dried out but the rest was still sopping wet.

Only solution is to cut, gouge, shovel, scrape it out and replace it

 

[marife]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Thanks Moody, but again if after four weeks 1/2 was dry I'll wait 8 more for the next 1/2... My boat is open now drying out and being 24 feet there is a lot of foam down there..

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Laws of gravity don't apply to water logged foam There is just too much cellular structure that captures and holds the water.

I reworked a boat a couple years ago that has waterlogged foam. I cut the floor away leaving the foam fully exposed to the summer sun for 4 weeks. Much to my dismay, only the top 1/2" or so had dried out but the rest was still sopping wet.

Only solution is to cut, gouge, shovel, scrape it out and replace it

So, being Canadian, that means that you left it out for the entire summer? <grin> (Sorry, but I just could not resist.) Unfortunately, you are correct. And even if you do manage to get it dry, it will quickly re-absorb water.

TerryMSU

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Waterlogged foam

I took a section of foam out of my boat that was water logged. It weighed 6.25 lbs. I had it about 4 feet away from coal stove. Which runs around 400 to 550 in temp. After 4 months that same piece of foam only lost just over 1/2 lbs. Once the foam gets wet it stays wet

 

[Grandpa7]

Re: Waterlogged foam

I have a 1980s 14 ft Lowe Jon boat with the foam encased by two metal bulkheads riveted/welded to the frame next to the transom. Bought the boat and didn't check the weight until I unloaded it 6 months later (stupid). The foam must be waterlogged since the weight is 4-6x that of it's published 120# weight. Any suggestions on the best way to remove the foam? I was considering cutting the tops from the compartments, repacking foam and then screwing a wood cover over the hole (caulked and sealed, of course).

Many thanks,
Bill Butts

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Waterlogged foam

So, being Canadian, that means that you left it out for the entire summer? <grin> (Sorry, but I just could not resist.) Unfortunately, you are correct. And even if you do manage to get it dry, it will quickly re-absorb water.

TerryMSU

Check your map Terry. Your probably further north than Moody

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Waterlogged foam

I took a section of foam out of my boat that was water logged. It weighed 6.25 lbs. I had it about 4 feet away from coal stove. Which runs around 400 to 550 in temp. After 4 months that same piece of foam only lost just over 1/2 lbs. Once the foam gets wet it stays wet

What were you shooting an episode of Mythbusters? Awesome experiment though

 

[marife]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Why would it pick up the water again if its dry. If the boat is properly sealed. Then it should stay dry...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Why would it pick up the water again if its dry. If the boat is properly sealed. Then it should stay dry...

Ayuh,... It's now a Sponge, not closed cell...

You Can't totally seal a bilge,,,
A Bilge should Drained,+ pumped...

 

[JimMH]

Re: Waterlogged foam

I had an old 84 checkmate that had water logged foam. I cut the floor out as it had a small rot area and decided while I was fixing it might as well do it all. I was hurt in a auto accident and had to leave it for the winter in a garage. It was tilted up with the motor removed, garage was heated and I ended up after four months with still water looged foam. It just will not dry out!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Thanks Moody, but again if after four weeks 1/2 was dry I'll wait 8 more for the next 1/2... My boat is open now drying out and being 24 feet there is a lot of foam down there..

Well, I'd say have at it then. You'll be back in six months admitting that what your reading here from other members was in fact correct. Water logged foam does not dry out and you will have wasted 6 months hoping for a miracle.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Waterlogged foam

These guys are all right!! The idea is to go to great lengths to keep water out of the boat. There are a number of ways water can enter, but erring on the side of caution by drilling holes in your hull for those "gotta-have-em" aftermarket accessories is self infliction. And those "how-to" details you read read from the "well-intentioned" boating buddies with the perfect plan to "drill and seal a hole in a boat hull"...Bah! The boat manufacturer warns you and so will most of the accessory manufacturers. The pit in your stomach feeling that you get squatted down in your driveway with your electric drill...I rest my case. I'm just sorry that a boat owner might find wet foam and water damage in his boat. It's a helpless feeling...a life-altering experience. And the sad thing is, the water intrusion is generally found much too late.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Waterlogged foam

Thanks Moody, but again if after four weeks 1/2 was dry I'll wait 8 more for the next 1/2... My boat is open now drying out and being 24 feet there is a lot of foam down there..

You should re-read his post.It says only 1/2 inch was dry.Not half of the foam.

Yes I am a nitpicker.