Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

[Buttanic]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

Any degree of vacuum below normal atmospheric pressure will cause water to vaporize at a faster rate.

 

[mikemerrill50]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

i asked a guy at a boat show i went to on saturday, and he said a buddy of his once tried something similar. they placed the boat in a heated garage, in the summertime in Clearwater, Florida, turned the heat on full blast, and hooked up a vacuum. he said they left the vacuum on for a week, and the foam still held water. he said the guy ran it for another week, and is still had more, just alot less than before. however, only a tiny bit of water was left, so it wasn't that bad, they said, and they considered the job successful. he said the main problem with this is the cost of the power bill. he couldn't remember how much, but the guy freaked when he saw it. he said if it wasn't summer, and the heater wasn't on in the garage, they have no idea how long it would have taken. he said he would never try it in another boat, unless those conditions were perfect, which of course can only be duplicated in a warm region in the summertime with a heated garage. he said even then, with the cost of the power bill, he would just rip out the old foam, because at that point, you might as well rip out the floor, because other stuff is probably wet.<br /><br />just a thought. i wasn't sure what he would say when i asked (he's a boat builder/restorer), but that's the answer i got.<br /><br />i don't know what i will do, but i am probably going to use foam in my rebuild, because i typically boat in 90ft deep water, and i don't want to be grabbing for a life vest, beacon, and handheld vhf if my boat starts to sink, and then be floating helplessly in the current. plus, i have heard that the new polyurethane foams are pretty much waterproof, unlike foams used before. i have seen too many boats partially sink due to clipping hidden rocks in creeks and rivers, and i would rather partially sink and have to worry about replacing saturated foam (which may not even happen) and repairing the hull, than having the boat lifted from the sea floor, and having to replace everything in the boat, including the engine. i have to say, foam will be EVERYWHERE in my boat, as the newer, more expensive boats are made. whey, i'm done typing for a few.

 

[brownies]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

Sorry, I agree that there is a breaking point. A time and place to use foam, and a time and place where it might do more harm than good.<br /> It's in my head, but, not sure where I would draw that line. Guess I'd have to see that boat and figure what I'd be using it for?<br /> Bass boat, weekend runabout, ski boat, or about any performance boat? No foam.<br /> Big lumbersome boats that stay in the water, performance not so much of an issue? Foam for sure.<br /><br /> I like that vacuum idea, or an industrial de-humidifier?<br /> Problem is, with the vacuum...what if I got to the shop the next morning and my boat was gone?

 

[Buttanic]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

The Coast Guard doesn't require foam in boats over 20'OAL. Part of the problem is as a boat gets larger and heavier the under deck areas where foam could be put don't increase in size in a direct proportion to the overall boat. Because of that it is not possiable to put in enough foam to keep the boat afloat if it swamps.<br />You could keep an aircraft carrier afloat if you filled every available space with foam but where would you put the planes and crew.

 

[mikemerrill50]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

i guess i should rephrase... i was exaggerating. what i meant was, i will have foam underneath the floor, and also plenty in the bow under the seats. several boat makers stated that now they have foam even under seats, because they want their boats to have enough foam to keep the entire boat afloat, not just part of it. they reminded me of the fact that you need enough foam not just for the weight of the boat, but also enough considering the passengers onboard, the gear, and the extra possible weight of water above deck.<br /><br />i understand both sides of the debate completely. up until i talked to those guys, i was thinking of rebuilding it without foam, but i want the added structure, the offshore safety, and of course to be poorer (just kiddin). i dunno, we'll see when i get to that step. i just hope whatever mindset i'm in at the time will be the right one! haha...

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

I must say, I rather enjoyed reading this thread. Was doing a search, and came upon this.<br /><br />Very informative. Although, I think I will go foamless in my current boat, as I don't fear the 5ft deep river all that much. And what's in there is waterlogged too.

 

[klmracing]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

the foam is required on texas waters but i know plenty of people that arnt using it anymore

 

[byacey]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

Perhaps styrofoam and polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam would expand and lock the styrofoam in place keeping it from moving and squeaking. If the polyurethane eventually takes on water, it will still be a small amount if the bulk of the space is filled with styro.

 

[lagoon bandit]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

styrofoam is just as closed celled (if not less) as the polyurethane foam

 

[Realgun]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

Lets see if this shakes it up a bit. <br /><br />2 boats go to sea 1 with foam 1 without.<br /><br />A storm comes up and both boats get swamped and then the motors nor batteries work.<br /><br />There are sharks around you.<br /><br />Would you rather sit in the water filled boat with foam on the surface <br /><br />OR-<br /><br />Be in the water with the sharks?<br /><br />Next question?

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

I am shocked that no one has come up with the soda bottle / milk jug / ping pong ball trick. <br />I guess you can say I am on both sides when it comes to "foam". There is a lot of boats that need it to stay afloat but a properly designed hull does not need it at all.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

Originally posted by f_inscreenname:<br /> I am shocked that no one has come up with the soda bottle / milk jug / ping pong ball trick. <br />I guess you can say I am on both sides when it comes to "foam". There is a lot of boats that need it to stay afloat but a properly designed hull does not need it at all.

I started the Soda Bottle Trick to replace foam Idea Along Time Ago..........<br /><br /> Ayuh,....... Here it Is,... Way Back when JasonJ was rebuilding the Skanky Beast................... <br />There's 12 More threads from a Search, Key Words, "Soda Bottles",+ My member #............

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Is foam flotation a legal requirement?

I remember that.