Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

[MacDaddy21]

I know this stuff works and is pretty good, I also know it adheres very well, and once you pour it in, it is pretty much going to stay there. I want to know if there is any way to pour it into a mold it will not stick to, so I could make pieces to fit under my deck. I don't want to pour the foam under my deck and have it expand and stick to the deck itself. About 1/3 of my deck is 4-5 inches above the hull. I also don't want to pour too much and have it expand too much, thus eliminating some of my storage space. Just want to see if anyone has any ideas for the mold, or if you all think those blue or pink sheets of insulation foam might just be easier to use. Also, will the addition of flotation foam affect the stability of my boat in any way? The boat is a 1979 lowe line deep V in the bow, that turns into a flat bottom. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[amdburner]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

Yes, you need to spray a mold release on your molds. When I used to work with urethane injection molding I sprayed the silicone rubber molds with a lacquer based primer that acted as a release agent. We would paint the molds "dry" with a spray gun. The paint just sits on the surface of the mold and actually becomes part of the molded object making the item ready for paint.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

So what kind of material can I make a mold out of?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

Dry fit the deck..unfit..put Large plastic bags in your hull..refit..fill ( slowly at an angle till filled .. might take 3 bags )...unfit.. refit your deck the way you desire..

Cryptic I know ..but If you understand..then you understand .. ..

YD.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

I used the sheet foam.. A lot of people have done it and been pleased with the results. Just make sure it's closed cell foam and keep it AWAY from resin and acetone and gas

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

Make your molds out of plywood and line them with plastic garbage bags.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

I'll probably do the molds with plywood and plastic bags like Jigngrub suggested. Does anyone know if the addition of flotation foam will help with stability in any way?

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

I used plastic lining method. I didn't do it to be able to remove it, just to keep it sealed. I got the idea from one of the builds here. I don't think foam will help with stability. It just keeps your boat from sinking if flooded.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

Don't know if this would fit your needs - but I have used the gallon plastic milk containers as molds for expanding foam. The plastic (some type of polyxxxxxxx) pops off the foam easily.

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

I used plastic lining method. I didn't do it to be able to remove it, just to keep it sealed. I got the idea from one of the builds here. I don't think foam will help with stability. It just keeps your boat from sinking if flooded.

I gotcha, I just want to control the expansion so it does not take up more space than I want it to.

 

[djpeters]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

Does anyone know if the addition of flotation foam will help with stability in any way?

Your boat will float the exact same. The added foam will come into play if you ever get swamped. If you have enough it will keep it from sinking to the bottom.

 

[amdburner]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

If by "stability" you mean structural than I believe yes regardless of what anybody else believes. It will support the hull alot better than stuffing cut foam panels into the openings as the expanding foam will fill in to the contours of your hull and stringers.

 

[amdburner]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

And yeah, since you are using it under your deck then plastic bags will work great.

 

[oops!]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

detailed instructions and correct materials are in the last few pages of the link in my sig......

page 168 i think

 

[MacDaddy21]

Re: Using Liquid Pour Foam for Flotation

awesome, thanks guys!