Re: Questions about foam?
i am really beginning to like foam in a boat. i mean i really like it....yes it traps water next to the wood when it gets wet....but the benefits far out weigh the down side......especially in the short term of 7-10 years. 7-10 years is the time that most boat owners needs will change, and desire a different boat.
however,,,,if you want to foam a boat and never want to worry about the foam getting wet....here is how you do it.
this is a write up i did last year in between several large boat foaming applications.
Quote Originally Posted by Willyclay View Post
oops!, we know you are working hard but we really would like to hear/see your secret method of installing foam so some of us can finish our projects with the comfort of having done it right. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
ok guys......its raining now. so i have a minit.......the big regal is just about done....just some tidy ups and i have to install the ECU s and start the motors for the first time...lol....if the motors go...the boat will head straight to the boat show......talk about a tight time line.
.......ok....theroy....how to foam a boat properly...
at this time i should also add that i actually like foam now.....i have seen its benifets first hand.....and i think it has many more benefits than draw backs....one of the best benifets is the anti crush of foam....if the hull takes an impact and a thru hull hole develops...the foam works as a patch...kinda like a kid with his finger in a hole in a dyke plugging the hole. in the mean time....you dont even know your hull has been penetrated.
after the stringers are in and you feel you are ready to foam...
add small plastic pvc or other pipes in the hull of the boat where ever you want drainage.
i suggest to add pvc back to front just under deck height.....then "vein" pvc from the top pipe angled down towards the stringer with another pvc running beside the stringer. all pvc pipes will run to the bilge.
the top pvc should come right up to an inspection hatch some where around the drivers foot area under the dash....the same for the other side.......what you are creating is a clear passage for water (or air) to get to all critical limber holes.
for ease or foaming....you can do this in sections......just make sure that all pvc pipes will match up to create proper channels of water/air flow.
after the piping is installed....
take shrink wrap and lay it over all pipes, up the sides, and leave enough shrink to enclose the top of the area....(you are basically making a shrink wrap bag)
(shrink wrap can be scrounged out of the dumpsters of the boat dealers in the spring by the tons...lol)
throw a "mock deck" on top of the stringers with plastic tapped to the under side so the expanding foam will not stick to the under side of the mock deck.
cut holes in the mock deck and foam the area fully while weight is on the deck (the wieght will stop the foam from expanding and blowing the top off your bag.....allow the foam to fully fill your shrink wrap bag right up to the top and expand out of the holes in the top.
after the foam has fully expanded and cured....wait a full hour.....
then take off the top deck. the plastic barrier will stay with the foam and allow the mock deck/"lid" to come up easy.
then with the edges of the bag....just seal the foam with the shrink....you can use shrink tape or tuck tape.....just totally seal the top so no water can get in to the foam.
remove the foam bag from the boat.......then remove the pvc piping. the pvc will leave clear and permanant impressions in the shrink wrap.
then replace the foam bag in the exact position it was.
you will now have passages next to all the crutial areas...and limber holes through out the boat from deck height to the bottom of the stringers. all the passages are connected so that air can flow freely through the system.
install the deck as per usual.....however take special caution not to screw thru the bag.....just screw into the stringers/frames.
add inspection covers/vents in the place where the pvc was placed under the drivers/passengers feet.
what this will give you is a clear air passage throught out your boat's hull, that air can circulate thru and dry out should any water get in there....everything drains to the bilge.....and you and even can remove the inspection covers during your trip home from the water to allow air to bass through your "channels" left by the pvc impressions to dry your hull.
this will give you all the advantages of foam....including the stregnth, the anti crush......it will NEVER get water logged.....and it will also let you dry your stringers in the area where it counts most.
thats it guys....
it will take a few more hours.....cost about 100 bux more if you actually pay for the shrink wrap and tape......but your boat will be safe for ever.
cheers
oops
