Confusion about Pour in Flotation Foam

D

dragos

Cadet
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
13
I spent the entire weekend removing water soaked pour in foam from my 1990Crestliner Sabre 19' Aluminum Boat. After all the foam was removed I found dozens of drainage ports which the manufacturer installed to allow water to reach the bilge from bow to stern. Why would Crestliner take the time/effort to design/install drain ports in their boats only to fill them with foam and make them ineffective? I am certain this is the original foam. Don't know if I will replace the foam with new pour in/pink insulation/noodles/etc. Might even install an auxiliary 2000 GPM bilge pump for emergencies and forgo the foam altogether but that is a discussion for a different day.
 
Last edited:
J

joenapier

Seaman
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
72
Re: Confusion about Pour in Flotation Foam

In a boat restoration, regulations do not require the craft to be buoyant. Nevertheless, foam properly filling the space under the floor will deaden the sound and may add some rigidity to the whole structure. Do not overfill, as it is very strong and will buckle the floor and pull out screws (ask me how I know).

I used lots of gatoraid bottles and 2-liter coke bottle (with the caps on tight) to fill out the space and save money on foam - the foam will encapsulate the bottles so there is no rattling around.

US Composites has the best prices and service.

Have fun with it!
 
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