Styrofoam pellets in hull

[rainman5]

I hope I havent bought something that can't be fixed. I have a 1982 FishinSki Barge. at the back of the boat in the floor there is a plastice cover about 4 inch dia. that screws off. When I took it off the hull looked like it was full of styrofoam pellets that were damp. This boat sat outside in the weather a couple years without much protection. Are these pellets the remains of styrofoam that was put in at the factory or is that how it is supposed to look. As you can probaly tell it is my first boat. Thanks
Raymond

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

I can't say for sure, but I'm betting those pellets were put in there after the boat was assembled. It's a solution for foaming a two-part hull like that, since the pellets will pretty much run to fill even small voids.

Trouble is, if they get damp, they stick together, and you have a problem.

If you need to remove them, I suggest a big vacuum cleaner, with the hose inserted so as to allow plenty of air flow around it. That, along with some vigorous, but non-destructive, thumping of the hollow sections of the hull with a rubber mallet, should fairly quickly empty it of the pellets.

Of course, figuring out what to put back in there is problematic. The pellets are very hard to come by these days, since they were found to be a choking hazard when used in those millions of bean-bag chairs made in the 1970s. They're pretty much unobtainable these days.

 

[rainman5]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

thanks for that information, I am afraid they are damp. I am wodering if there may some type of foam I can get sprayed in there.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

Of course, figuring out what to put back in there is problematic. The pellets are very hard to come by these days, since they were found to be a choking hazard when used in those millions of bean-bag chairs made in the 1970s. They're pretty much unobtainable these days.

Are you sure? We've bought bean bag chairs w/i the last 10 years or so (it's been a while), and I could swear you can still buy replacement bags of styrofoam pellets. Check a big box store like Target, Fred Meyer, Walmart, etc. That's where we bought them.

Whether that would be adequate for replacement, I don't know, but I think you'll be able to find them.

 

[burroak]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

Styrofoam should never be used as flotation material. It will absorb water and the boat will be heavy and sluggish. Styrofoam mixed with gasoline will become epoxy glue upon contact and some mixing. By the way, that bit of info is handy if you need to patch a hole and are not near civilization. Cheapy minnow buckets/food coolers and coffee cups become very valuable when the bumps happen.

If it is Styrofoam and fuel gets to it, you will have a mell of a hess.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

If the foam is wet.... CHECK THE STRINGERS!!! You might have a mess on your hands. There is plenty of 2 part foam that can replace what you had and be far superior to the styrofoam.

You need to investigate your situation more.

 

[rainman5]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

Thanks for all your help, it looks like styrofoam pellets but not sure. This boat was built in Arkansas by the Dilks mfg co but is now out of business. I sure hope I dont have to seperate the hulls to clean this mess up. I was wondering if I just let it set out in the sun on these hot days if that would. Maybe I need to take this boat somewhere to get it weighed.
Thanks so much
Raymond

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

I may not know what I'm talking about but I think I'm correct.

If you are talking about the styrofoam pellets that coffee cups are made from they do not absorb water. That is a closed cell foam.

I bought a '65 Starcraft 18' alum holiday in the '85 timeframe that sat in a marina for over 2 years 1/3 submerged. I completely restored this boat and I mean I gutted it down to the bare hull with stringers and ribs showing.

The flotation material was the white closed cell styrofoam that the drink cups are made of and was in sheets just thrown in (unsecured sheets) before they installed the deck (floor) when it was built and other than having mildew on it it was still lightweight like when new and absolutely reusable.

So here is a 20 year old boat that I guarantee you had 2 years to soak the foam if it didn't get soaked in the prior 18 years and it was dry.

Next time you get a hot or cold drink in a styrofoam cup take a close look at the liquid and the foam. There is no surface tension meaning the foam rejects the liquid.

Now the spray in stuff is open cell and will fill up with water.

HTH

Mark

 

[burroak]

Re: Styrofoam pellets in hull

I may not know what I'm talking about but I think I'm correct.

If you are talking about the styrofoam pellets that coffee cups are made from they do not absorb water. That is a closed cell foam.

I bought a '65 Starcraft 18' alum holiday in the '85 timeframe that sat in a marina for over 2 years 1/3 submerged. I completely restored this boat and I mean I gutted it down to the bare hull with stringers and ribs showing.

The flotation material was the white closed cell styrofoam that the drink cups are made of and was in sheets just thrown in (unsecured sheets) before they installed the deck (floor) when it was built and other than having mildew on it it was still lightweight like when new and absolutely reusable.

So here is a 20 year old boat that I guarantee you had 2 years to soak the foam if it didn't get soaked in the prior 18 years and it was dry.

Next time you get a hot or cold drink in a styrofoam cup take a close look at the liquid and the foam. There is no surface tension meaning the foam rejects the liquid.

Now the spray in stuff is open cell and will fill up with water.

HTH

Mark

Take that same stuff and mix a little gasoline with it and see what you get -- instant epoxy.