"Foam replacement,what to use"

[Jim Hannon]

I have a 1968 Lund 17' I had to take rotten deck out and the foam was water logged. It has loose layed foam pieces. Does anyone know how dense the foam must be and where to find some. Thanks for all the help.

 

[oops!]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

hi jim...welcome to i boats....

restoration might get you a few more answers

ill ask a mod to move it

 

[JimMachinery]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

I gave this a lot of thought and read a lot of threads about thie same issue. I finally decided to go with the swim noodles.

I like that they don't soak up water and will allow water to drain to the bilge when the nose is elevated. My old soaked foam was in big squares cut to fit.

Good Luck!

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

WOW jim how much did all those noodles cost? And how manny are there in that boat? And what size boat is that? Also do you have any pics of the install of them and pictures like that? WOW thats something!!!!

 

[JimMachinery]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

Hi, Drewmitch -

The boat is a 1967 Naden 16' aluminum runabout.

So far I've jammed about forty noodles in, cut to fit. I keep laying boards over and walking on them to make sure they can be compacted flush when I'm finally ready to put the deck in. Hoping for sound deadening as well as flotation.

I'm not done noodling yet, but figure it will take about sixty-five or so all together. It cost about a hundred bucks for all the noodles ($1.50/each at Wal-Mart). Hope to finish putting them in this weekend.

I'll attach the pics I have so far...

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

Hi Jim Hannon here you go this place is the cheapest place and there products are good .http://www.uscomposites.com/prices.html
I am going for thr 2 LBS foam give you the most floatation for the buck !!
OHh ps Welcome !! John

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

OHh I it didnt day where you are from if your from the west coast theres a place out there rhat has some good prices also but you would say the shipping !! John

 

[kskomro]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

I went to several local boatyards and marina's. I found a couple of them rebuilding floating docks. They had several cutoff pieces of foam left. I actually had to go into dumpsters and get them, but hey, They were brand new, and costed nothing. Worked awsome.

 

[oops!]

Re: "Foam replacement,what to use"

jim....there is lots of ways....if your over 20 feet you dont need it....under...the law says you do.....but foam gets wet..... wet rots wood.

this is the most in depth discussion on flotation that i know of on this forum...if you read it all...you will find the pros and cons of every different thing discussed.......

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=233479

personally....im just gonna throw some pfd's under the deck...

john...(jcsercsa)...is doing his the way it is supposed to be done...(under current building standards).....

things like pool noodles...ping pong balls and bubble wrap...are all (at this time)...considered to be experimental....(as we have no long term data on the projects).......

bottom line...its your boat...do what you want....leave it out if you want....

to tell you the truth...we have a person on the forum that has done many many refits....i dont think he uses foam of any kind.....

cheers
oops