under floor foam

[bowlin257]

I have come up with some expandable foam. Thinking about using it under the floor in a 14 ft. fiberglass fishing boat. Should keep things dry under there?? Any thoughts on that.

 

[andy6374]

Re: under floor foam

Floatation foam's main purpose is just that, to help your boat to float if you take on lots of water.<br /><br />It is not meant to suck up moisture, although it will. Wet heavy foam is something that you would want to replace.<br /><br />It will add a structural component to your boat though and that's not a bad thing. The floors of many boats are not build atop the stringers because the stringers are too short and most floors lie on top of the foam.

 

[epresutti]

Re: under floor foam

Bowlin257,<br /><br />Make sure you are using closed cell foam. This is specifically design not to absorb water. Foam also comes in different densities depending on the use, structural, non structural, etc.<br /><br />Be very careful when you foam under the deck, if you plan on removing the deck, no problem, you can always trim the foam, otherwise you have to make sure you leave room for the foam to expand so you don't bulge or "blow out" your hull and/or deck.<br /><br />On my boat the deck is secured to the stringer, there was minimum foam for floatation.<br /><br /> See foam pictures in rebuild pics <br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.