Polystyrene as flotation

[jurgenscraft]

The boat I have ,has polystyrene built in under the deck as flotation.I had a look under the deck via a large inspection hatch fitted right at the stern of the deck and every thing looked okay barring two or three square shaped pieces that seemed to be a little loose, Has any body had previous experience with poystyrene as flotation if so what were the experiences. I have no intention of removing the deck to replace the polystyrene with foam if the poly styrene is acceptable.I suppose a solvent like MEK or lacquer thinners can be used to desolve the polystyrene and replace it with foam or bilge pumps. But I would prefer to leave alone.
Kind regards William Wright

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Polystyrene as flotation

If that is what was installed in your boat when it was built, and it doesn't seemed water logged,, I say "if it ain't broke, dont fix it". However I noticed the way you've written your sentence, that you don't have any Bilge pumps?? You really need at least one by your engine (transom area) no matter what you have for flotation, and make sure the pump is big enough to handle your size boat and wired directly to your battery. Also,, be careful that the solvent you use to desolve foam, doesn't desolve fiberglass, and resins.

 

[jurgenscraft]

Re: Polystyrene as flotation

Thank you very much for comming back to me regarding the polystyrene foam, from what I can see , the polystyrene looks okay and yes you are right and yes I will be fitting a bilge pump right at the transom,I have a bilge pump rated at 1400 to 2000 gph open flow rated, I think that is the threoritical output and not the actual delivery of water through the pump, or maybe the amount of water the the pump can move unconnected to inlet or outlet pipes . maybe somebody can varify this.
Kind Regards William Wright