floatation foam?

[lilcane88]

hello all,

bought my first boat. its a 19' 1984 Glastron V-192 with a 1984 yamaha 200hp. have taken it out twice so far and love it. it sits pretty high in the water and its nice and stable. after just browsing around the forum i've noticed that there is some sort of floatation foam under most people's floor?? is this for fiberglass boats or just aluminum hulls? what exactly is its purpose? thanks in advanced for any replies. sorry for such a dumb question.

 

[109jb]

Re: floatation foam?

Manufacturers of boats under 20 feet in length are reguired to provide some type of flotation so that the boat does not sink if swamped. Most manufacturers use foam to provide this flotation because it an easy way to do it. These rules apply to all manufactured boats under 20 feet whether aluminum or fiberglass. Your Glastron has foam unless the deck was replaced and whoever did it did not replace the foam.

 

[lilcane88]

Re: floatation foam?

Manufacturers of boats under 20 feet in length are reguired to provide some type of flotation so that the boat does not sink if swamped. Most manufacturers use foam to provide this flotation because it an easy way to do it. These rules apply to all manufactured boats under 20 feet whether aluminum or fiberglass. Your Glastron has foam unless the deck was replaced and whoever did it did not replace the foam.

my boat is 19' so its required to have it... but i dont see any anywhere.. i just replaced the floor and under the plywood floor is the bottom of the boat

 

[109jb]

Re: floatation foam?

Some manufacturers put it under the gunwales. Had the deck on your boat ever been replaced before you got it. If so, the person that did the previous replacement may have removed the foam.

 

[lilcane88]

Re: floatation foam?

not sure on whether or not the floor was replaced by the previous owner.. probably as every other piece of wood on the boat was rotten when i got it. except the transom. it looks new. i will check tomorrow under the gunwales and see what i find. if there is foam there, does it "go bad" like get hard or detiorate (sp?) thanks for your help

 

[Mark42]

Re: floatation foam?

Foam above the deck is probably fine. Its the foam under the deck you need to worry about.

The above deck foam does not sit in standing water and have the chance to break down and absorb water. Its there if the boat should be swamped to keep it floating in an upright position.