foam procedure?

[waynerh]

Hi guys,(gals?),

I am getting ready to put the new floor in my bowrider (after replacing the stringers), and my question involves replacement of the foam. Should I pour it in and cut off the excess. or should I put the floor down and pour it in through access holes? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: foam procedure?

I would try and put it threw the access hole. It would make the floor and gunnell sound and would create a physical bond between the two. Also if you just cut off the excess, after time, the pieces of foam can become free and knock around.

 

[Mr Hands]

Re: foam procedure?

I agree.
The foam is mostly closed cell foam.
If you cut the foam, then the top is no longer closed and you also leave it susceptible to water penetration and break down.

 

[Mr Hands]

Re: foam procedure?

Oh yeah, one more thing.
If your boat is anything like mine, the original design did not allow for any drainage, so be sure to have a way for any water that gets in under the floor a way to get to the bilge.

I also would pack in some empty 2 liter drink bottles; they are far less expensive and far more buoyant that the pour in foam. Be sure to tape them down or pour several layers as the do float to the top of the foam before it cures.

 

[Outsider]

Re: foam procedure?

If you cut the foam, then the top is no longer closed and you also leave it susceptible to water penetration and break down.

A foam pour is made up of millions of closed cells. Cutting off excess doesn't compromise anything except those cells that are actually penetrated, and they go nowhere ...

 

[watermellonI]

Re: foam procedure?

I also found the foam will take 2 layers of glass and be as solid as a rock and light as a feather

I had the drain debate with myself, and came to the conclusion that with the lumber i used for stringers its not going to matter whether water gets in or not, but I did my best to seal the deck to keep water out.

just my thoughts