water displacement

[boating brad]

i have a 1985 14ft bayliner capri bowrider i want to replace the floor in. i dont know whats under the floor (foam?)there is a drainpipe under the floor that runs the length of the boat but splits off to 2 pipes at the center of the boat (my battery compartment). the floor has a couple soft spots not too bad, but i want to replace it so im in the planning stage. the foam i believe is up front in the bow benches (cells) and in the back, square boxed foam cells on both corners of the back. im thinking that if i remove all four cells and glass in new ones "water tight". i wont have to put foam in them, since they will be water tight. what do you think? i have never heard of anybody doing this but it sounds good in "my" head. "displacing water in an airtight chamber"<br />just glass in the bottom and sides and silicone with screws on the lid and a heavy helping of glass on the outside.

 

[Bondo]

Re: water displacement

It's an Idea that some manufactures have tried.....<br />Trouble is, They Rarely hold Air......<br />But, Will Always Hold Water....

 

[JasonJ]

Re: water displacement

Water always finds a way in. Either refoam it, or install some sort of containers, doesn't matter what, that will displace the same amount of water.

 

[boating brad]

Re: water displacement

thanks, it was just a thought. the plastic jug idea doesnt sound bad but if "my" closed cell idea wont work, either will that. closed cell is a closed cell, if water finds a way in it will probably stay there. back to the drawing board!<br />a would use foam but dam that stuff is expensive!

 

[mbrueck]

Re: water displacement

The problem with air-tight compartments is they only work as long as they remain air-tight. If you get caught in bad weather that swamps your boat, the compartments should work. But if you hit something or something hits you, you better hope that doesn't damage your compartments. That's also where the jugs can work, if the damage is such that water can get in but jugs can't get out they'll still provide flotation.

 

[boating brad]

Re: water displacement

thanks mbrueck, i didnt think of that. but i guess if i hit something that hard to do that much damage im not sure i would want the boat anymore, or the outboard after being submerged. i'll have to chew on that a while!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: water displacement

The whole subject of impact damage was one of the many reasons I went with foam. On my lake, the spring time run-off causes a lot of debris, some of which lies just below surface, to float about. If the hull is foamed, and you strike something that actually causes penetration, the foam doesn't allow the water in. You could make it back and pull her out and repair the damage. A lot of people make a big deal about foam holding water, and even the new foams can saturate, but it takea a LONG time of constant exposure to water for that stuff to start saturating. The thing people are less willing to discuss is how that foam could save their lives or their passengers lives by keeping the boat floating well enough to get them back or at least provide something large and visible to cling to. Its about $100 to get enough foam for the average 17 footer, I think thats a small price to pay for something that provides so much of a safety margine in an already dangerous hobby. I have also found that the people who are the most likely to complain about the cost of foam have no problem spending the same amount of mony in a month on fast food, cigarrettes, or beer. Its all about priorities, do the safe thing.<br /><br />As far as submerged outboards, if you get it out of the water, get all the water out, and run it immediately, it wil be fine. Its when you pull it out and let it set for weeks with that water trapped in it that the motor is destroyed. I lost track of how many times we would sink Hummers or Bradleys or whatever in the military, and all we did was drain, change the oil, run it, change the oil again, and it was good to go.....

 

[boating brad]

Re: water displacement

jason. thanks i'll get the foam, but leave my cigarettes out of it. <br />i actually just poured foam in my 17ft dixie, it was a mess. i'll wear gloves this time! its not just the cost for me, its more like trying something else that might be better. but im open to suggestions if i wasnt i wouldnt post the question. i want to make this boat light so it has a waterline like skanky beast!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: water displacement

yeah, foaming is NOT pleasant. I had that stuff so stuck to my fingers that I had to CHEW it off. Not good. You would think I would have been smarter, considering I wore gloves during the glassing phase.

 

[boating brad]

Re: water displacement

sorry jason but it makes me feel a little better about not wearing gloves. since you did the same thing. man there aint nothin that will take that stuff off, i tried laquer thinner, acetone, gasoline, and paint stripper. none of these will even loosen it. the only thing i can say to somebody about to pour foam is wear rubber gloves. no joke! i dont care how careful you are it will get on your hands "its magnetic".