Hull Foam

[TBigLug]

So, I know this is a beat up topic. I have an "outside the boating world" perspective on things so I was hoping someone could enlighten me. Once I tab in my floor supports and put down my deck I will be to the stage of foaming the hull. It came originally with expqnding foam in the outside hulls and the center was bare. Putting it back together I really want to foam the entire hull. By my math it should take approximately 30 cu ft to do the whole thing. My theory is, it will tie everything together structurally, i sulate the bottom of the boat, protect from leaks to some degree and help make for a more solid base. The reasons I have heard to NOT foam the entire hull don't make sense to me. You are not adding any bouyancy to the bottom of the boat since air is already more bouyant than foam. So in theory as long as there are no leaks that part of the hull naturally would be more bouyant than a foam filled compartment that already has an additional 2 lb per cu ft of weight added to it from foam. I understand the concept of if you filled the top of the boat with water it would roll over hull side up because the foam displaced enough water to flip it. I think if it's gone that far you're in rough shape anyway . The compartment in the hull originally was storage with a slotted cover perfect for letting water into the hull of the boat. The original drains were all clogged with rotten wood so the entire hull held water with a dry bilge. I eliminated the storage compartment already since I have plenty of storage. I know the original foam had become at least halfway waterlogged but that is after 34 years and at least 3 of that I can tell was with the cover off. So why or why not to filling the whole hull?

 

[TBigLug]

Where do you guys get your foam?

 

[Woodonglass]

U S. C o m p o s i t e a. C o m

 

[tpenfield]

It is better to rely on foam than 'air-filled chambers' because the chambers may not be 100% air tight.

Most boats 'turtle' when they become flooded with water, but a floating turtled boat is still better than a sunk upright boat.

Probably the only thing you could do to keep the boat upright is put generous amounts of foam in the sides of the hull and under the cap in the area of the rub rail.

 

[Scott Danforth]

FGCI.com

Foam will always float as long as it is intact, regardless if the chamber breaches

You can not guarantee an air chamber doesnt breach and fill with water