Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

[parrisw]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Well, to me it looks like your stringers are rotten, and if they are then is pretty much 100% that your transom in rotted too. Don't fool yourself when it comes to this, if under your deck/floor is soaked its all rotten, your in for a total rebuild. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

i know my stringers are rotted but my transom is solid i cant feel or see any sign of rotting back there is there a better way i can check this

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Denial is the first symptom....

From your pics I know at least one stringer is rotten and pretty confident in saying that the other stringers and the transom have issues. There are many threads that can help you through this process; again try a search.

What made you cut the floor up in the first place? Soft spot? Obviously it was not done for fun; honest details will help solve the problem.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Take a "core" sample.

Drill into, but not through your transom. Inspect the wood chips that are coming out, black, muddy looking is not good. Clean wood chips are what you want.

 

[parrisw]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Take a "core" sample.

Drill into, but not through your transom. Inspect the wood chips that are coming out, black, muddy looking is not good. Clean wood chips are what you want.

I agree!! Take a few core samples, down low up high.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Take a deep breath and relax.....were here to help you out! You will have to take core samples in your transom to be sure it good...It looks good, seems fine, just wont cut it.... Take a 3/8" drill bit and wrap some tape 1" up the bit. Start low on the transom and drill a hole....look at wood chips....dark, damp,muddy looking NOT good.....clean white and dry IS good! Probe around in other locations of the transom and check cores.....

Let us know what you find and we will proceed to the next step. If the transom is solid the holes you drilled can be filled with 3M5200 sealant.

Good Luck! I hope your transom is good!

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

i cut up the floor because my boat wouldnt plain out i did everything i put new carb new props everything i could think of i put over 2000 dollors into it to come to find out on here that i could have to much weight so i weight it and was like 2000 pounds over weight i would have never thought of that if ii didnt swee it on here i didnt even know that could happen to a boat but i see that it can i drilled a few holes in the transome the chips are not black or wet they look good and its not denial buddy if its bad im going to fix it im the type that if im doing a project in gonna fix everything anyways do i have to but the stringers back in or cAN i just stuff that clear full of foam??????

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Fill the holes you drilled in your transom with some epoxy, remove all the water logged foam and replace all the rotted stringers. They are an integral structural part of your boat and MUST be replaced exactly like you found them. Search the forum for "Stringer Replacement" and you'll find all you need to know about the subject and how to do it. After they are replaced you can decide if you want to use pour in foam, noodles, pink or blue slab etc... it's all been discussed here " Ad Infinitum"

Keep Posint pics, it helps all of us to help you

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

here some pics if this dont help let me know

Picture #1 has a totally rotten stringer....

I lke the 2 part pour in foam....oops as a great way of doing it with shrink wrap. I'll see if I can find the thread and link it for you....

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

well guys i went ahead and used the pink foam and the spray foam i posted some pic let me know what u think

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

So you did not replace any of the stringers??? You are aware that the spray in foam WILL absorb water???

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

i put only 2 of the 4 stringers back in and im not really worried about that cause i keep it garaged kept when not in the water so it doesnt have any of the outside weather elements exceped when in the water so not to worried about that trust me that boat is gonna be plenty strong enough without them two stringers and everything else is epoxy coated so i think im in goos shape as far as that goes what do u guys think???

 

[KellyC]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Well all I can say is WOW.

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

why u say wow??? explain yourself please

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Well... You asked us to let you know what we think.

The stresses put on a boat hull by wakes and waves are tremendous. The Stringers and Transom all work in unison to ensure the strength and integrity of your boats hull. Evidently the Engineers at the MFG designe the boat with ALL of the stringers to ensure the integrity of the hull would not be compromised by these stresses. Altering the original MFG design is NEVER a good idea IMHO. I really think you may have substantially weakend the overall structural integrity of your hull. It is not just about water infiltration but overall safety. This is not good boat building practice. You should reconsider your actions.
That is what I think!!!!

 

[sschefer]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Woodonglass, you are correct. Tassomak, you may get away with it for a while but when the spider cracks start showing up in your hull you'll understand what's been said here is correct.

For what it's worth, I don't think it's going to come apart on you unless you ignore the failure signs that you're likely to begin seeing. I'd be checking it after every haul out.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

I used them and they seem okay so far.

Here are details on my blog if interested. http://batboat.blogspot.com/2009/10/batboat-rebuild-day-43-august-11th-2009.html

 

[KellyC]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

why u say wow??? explain yourself please

You asked people on here to let you know what they thought, and they did just as you asked. And then it was like you did not listen to anything that they had to say. I know absolutely nothing about doing glass boats, but I do know that I would never leave a stringer out of my aluminum boat and look at the beating that these were designed to do. From everything that I have read on glass boats I am going to agree with the others and especially Woodonglass. There are a lot of people on here that know their stuff and he is at the top of the list of those people. Hope you stay safe and that it works out for you. And please don't think I am being disrespectful because that is not it at all, just don't want to see anyone hurt by a bad decision is all.

 

[tassomak]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

well to be honest with u guys i understand what ur saying and ur brob right this is my first boat didnt really know what i was doing just kinda winged it and tryed to do it on a very small buget so for my first time doing this i reall didnt know what to do or not to do i didnt think the stingers did verymuch but make a comprtment for the foam but i could be wrong i know that now my boat feels more stiff and stronger then before and i did all the work myself and im not much of a carpenter im a water tank painter and diesel machanic so... and im not going to keep this boat forever i just want it to last for a few years till i have enough money to buy a brand new bayliner ciera classic so i think this will be more then sufficent for what im trying to get out of it what do u guys think thats for the consrtuctive critisism wouldnt mind to hear something good lol lay it on me i need all i can get from u guys....please post all your thought GOOD and BAD

 

[rickryder]

Re: Can u use pool noodles in stead of flotation foam

Well when your done with the boat please just send it to the dump and don't sell it to someone..... Just not a safe boat with missing stringers :facepalm: