Foam in the boat?

[MaddysDaddy]

i have a starcraft sf16. the boat has foam under the back bench seat. i am sure under the floor is foam aswell. Is it a bad idea to remove some of the foam under the seat to make room for storage? If the foam is above the water-line it only counts as wieght in the boat right? Of course the foam in the floor is underwater so the air traped in the foam is bouant and staibilies the boat......right?

 

[109jb]

Re: Foam in the boat?

None of the foam inside the boat helps normal flotation. It is there in case the boat swamps to keep it from sinking. See the thread below:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=427206

 

[commander315]

Re: Foam in the boat?

KMZ was known for steep dead rise. They're also pretty narrow. Thats a wobbly combination. You could try playing with the trim and weight distrib..

 

[5150abf]

Re: Foam in the boat?

Ya, the boat would actually float higher with no foam since it would weight less, flotation is provided by the hull not what is inside of it.

The foam comes into play if the boat takes on water enough to where it woudl sink, the foam keeps it from going under so yes you can remove the foam and it won't affect the boat.

I pulled all the foam from mine and never replaced it and it has floated fine for years, I trailer the boat and fish a river so i am never more than 60'-80' from shore.

 

[MaddysDaddy]

Re: Foam in the boat?

thanks i think i will remove the foam sinice i can easly swim (or walk) across all the places i fish i think the storage will be worth it

 

[RicMic]

Re: Foam in the boat?

The current specs for flotation in boats is so that they float UPRIGHT when swamped, at one time it was just that they float, but a lot of people drowned, because the couldn't hold on to the slippery bottom when their boats capsized. Thats what foam high in the boat is for.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Foam in the boat?

I pulled all the foam from mine and never replaced it and it has floated fine for years, I trailer the boat and fish a river so i am never more than 60'-80' from shore.

Might work for you but remember others may not be as good a swimmer. Also being as you're in Indy if you fish in waters below 40 degrees and sink you still may not make that 60'-80' to shore before hypothermia gets ya.

I wouldn't advise anyone to remove the floatation foam. Another point being is if I was buying a used boat I would want to know if you the seller knew that the foam had been removed.

 

[Unforcefull Force]

Re: Foam in the boat?

I removed mine too. IT IS A MESSY JOB! Have a shop vac handy!

-Mark

 

[SteveRoss]

Re: Foam in the boat?

Remove foam ?? Remove wife ?? Don't even bother flipping a coin.... LOL