- Joined
- Oct 25, 2011
- Messages
- 25,110
I'd use the rigid pink or blue insulation from HD/Lowes.
Its closed cell so it can be immersed underwater w little absorption and would allow any water that finds its way below decks to drain out.
It floats about 60lbs per cubic foot, roughly the same as pour in 2lb foam. So based on hull and motor weight, estimate how much you need. I suspect you'll need every bit you can get below decks and behind the side panels. In/under the cabin storage spaces, its deck and along the side walls of the cabin too. Those 18ft El Dorados arent exceptionally lightweight boats. Less then most 18ft glassers, but not lightweight.....
LS probably put about enough to pass the level float USCG requirement at some point, but in practice, many aluminum boats appear to be extremely short of that when we pull them apart. Besides, I suspect your 1959 was made well ahead of the level float requirement's enactment.
It comes in several thicknesses, so get a few, all in 4X8 sheets.
A 2in thick 4X8 sheet equals 32 1ftX1ft pieces 2in thick. Stack 6 1ftX1ft 2in pieces to get a cubic foot. That means a 4X8 sheet of 2in foam provides approx 320lbs of flotation 'value', and equates to 5.3333 cubic ft.
You'd need roughly 6 whole 4X8 sheets of 2in foam to float a 1900lb boat and motor. Or roughly 12 whole sheets of 1in foam. Or a mix there of.
1900lbs is not an accurate estimate of your boat's weight, it was simply a random number I used for the math.
Seats and upholstery attached to the hull has some flotation value as does any wood. The vast majority of the weight of your boat in the water does not, the motor and hull itself.
Its closed cell so it can be immersed underwater w little absorption and would allow any water that finds its way below decks to drain out.
It floats about 60lbs per cubic foot, roughly the same as pour in 2lb foam. So based on hull and motor weight, estimate how much you need. I suspect you'll need every bit you can get below decks and behind the side panels. In/under the cabin storage spaces, its deck and along the side walls of the cabin too. Those 18ft El Dorados arent exceptionally lightweight boats. Less then most 18ft glassers, but not lightweight.....
LS probably put about enough to pass the level float USCG requirement at some point, but in practice, many aluminum boats appear to be extremely short of that when we pull them apart. Besides, I suspect your 1959 was made well ahead of the level float requirement's enactment.
It comes in several thicknesses, so get a few, all in 4X8 sheets.
A 2in thick 4X8 sheet equals 32 1ftX1ft pieces 2in thick. Stack 6 1ftX1ft 2in pieces to get a cubic foot. That means a 4X8 sheet of 2in foam provides approx 320lbs of flotation 'value', and equates to 5.3333 cubic ft.
You'd need roughly 6 whole 4X8 sheets of 2in foam to float a 1900lb boat and motor. Or roughly 12 whole sheets of 1in foam. Or a mix there of.
1900lbs is not an accurate estimate of your boat's weight, it was simply a random number I used for the math.
Seats and upholstery attached to the hull has some flotation value as does any wood. The vast majority of the weight of your boat in the water does not, the motor and hull itself.
