Question about foam under a new floor in my Starcraft Supersport

[jacobmeyers]

Hey Starcrafters,

I have a quick question for you. I am going to be converting my 16 supersport to a center console with a T top over the winter.

Under the new floor, instead of foam, can I use the play balls you would see in a ball pit at McDonalds??? I only ask this question because they are a solid sealed blow molded ball and will never soak or rot.

Question 2. Is there anything with regards to aero dynamics i need to know when constructing a T Top for my boat? I work for a toy company and we have a platform in one of our products that is 36"x42" framed in stretched trampoline material which was going to be my top. I would place at a slight 15 degree angle about 6.5 feet above the console. I am only 5'9 so I think that would work. It will need to hinge down into the bow when I put it away in the rack when not using. (height restrictions)

As always, any help I greatly appreciate it!!!!

Jake

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Question about foam under a new floor in my Starcraft Supersport

Hi jacob. I suppose you could use the plastic balls. Some folks even use large plastic bottles. I would say that he pink/blue closed-cell insulation foam boards available at Lowes/HD are the most poplular choice for putting below decks, but as long as you can trap air without anything becoming water logged, you should be ok. Shoot, I saw an episode of the Mythbusters where they raised a sunken tugboat using a truck load of ping-ping balls. I've also seen a DIY T-top made from and old trampoline, as you've described. I believe he used the whole thing by chopping the frame into the posts of the top and using the webbing as the canvasing material. It seems to have worked very well. Here's a link to the vid. Good luck. Keep us posted. I love anything DIY.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtO4TtPvPes

 

[emoney]

Re: Question about foam under a new floor in my Starcraft Supersport

You could always do a "buoyancy test" by taping a few together and put a piece of plywood on top. I'm sure they float, but are they as "buoyant" as other material, like say a plastic bottle? I'd think the main drawback would be you'd be adding a lot more weight using those balls.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Question about foam under a new floor in my Starcraft Supersport

as long as you can trap air without anything becoming water logged, you should be ok.

Yup, I'm with KFA. Displacement and drainage are the keys. I'd be thinking the play balls would be kind of expensive and like E$ mentioned, a little heavy compared to other methods.