To Foam or not to Foam?

[skyguy59]

I am reflooring a 72 GC CV-16. New 5/8 plywood and epoxy etc. The question is do I get any benefit from foaming under the floor. The area is only about 30 inches wide by 8 foot long by 4inches deep at the deepest point. It has one stringer down the middle. I don't think it had foam before or if it did somebody did a great job of cleaning it out. I really think everything is original and was suprised to find no foam. Any thoughts or opinions?<br /><br />Russ In Texas

 

[Boomyal]

Re: To Foam or not to Foam?

There has been a lot of posting regarding foam. I think the general consensus is affirmative. It is not only a safety feature, it adds structural rigidity and sound absorbstion.. Having recently had the same question, once I tore my floor out and saw how the foam 'glued' everything together, I no longer had any doubt.

 

[skyguy59]

Re: To Foam or not to Foam?

Thanks for the quick answer. What would the best guess be as to how much foam for the area listed?<br /><br />Russ In Texas

 

[Boomyal]

Re: To Foam or not to Foam?

Foam is purchaced by the expanded cubic foot. It is hard to say without actually measuring yours. The picture below (my project) calculated out to eight cubic feet. The center bay is virtually filled by the 30 gallon gas tank and gets very little foam. The boat is a 20 footer and I'm doing all but the front 4 feet of floor where it tapers radically to the bow. (I did not remove the foam and floor in the front 4 ft)<br /><br />

<br /><br />As the two pound foam comes in 8 cu ft increments (dependant on conditions) I am right on the edge, so I will use a number of one gallon heavy plastic bottles, glued strategically in place, to take up some space and give me a margin. I'm sure you can do your 16 footer with one batch. If you calculate 4 cubic feet, I would use the 4 lb foam. Either way, 2 lb comes in 2 gallon cans and expands to 8 cu ft. 4 lb foam expands to 4 cu ft and also comes in 2 gallon cans. see link.<br /> http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

 

[JasonJ]

Re: To Foam or not to Foam?

You'll definately be able to do your floor with one 2lb kit, probably with one 4 lb kit as well. It is doubtfull the volume will provide enough floatation unless you augment it elsewhere in the boat with more floatation, but it will give you structure and sound deadening. I had to use 16 cubic feet of foam for my project, and that still left my center bilge open. I could have applied another 8 cubic to my center bilge, but I wanted it open and the 16 cubic feet provides enough floatation.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: To Foam or not to Foam?

"right on the edge, so I will use a number of one gallon heavy plastic bottles, glued strategically in place, to take up some space and give me a margin."<br /><br />Nows there's a thinking man!