Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

[rfdfirecaptain]

I?ve been reading through a lot of these threads about boat restorations. One thing keeps coming up that is not very well explained. Some have included photos of it, but still it?s not explained why it?s in the boat. I?m talking about the foam that?s in sealed compartments of the hull. I once took a hydraulics class and if I recall correctly, a boat float by displacement of water and not by buoyancy of the construction material?s alone. Since this foam does not contact the water I?m even more confused.

Can anyone explain the purpose of this foam? If so, can you elaborate on what would happen if a boat did not have it? Also, if you know, what type and size boats are manufactured with this stuff?

From what I am reading and seeing it seems to be a big hassle on restoration projects. Is it really that important to have this stuff?

Thanks!

 

[drewpster]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

I have never seen the regulations myself, but I understand that every boat manufactured after a certain year are required to have a certain amount of floatation foam. It is there so that if the boat overturns or gets swamped with water, it will continue to float. Otherwise they can deep six, and leave you swimming.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

there is a ton of threads on this.....and im sure someone will respond with 10 paragraphs of facts and dictionary jargon, but.....to keep the answer simple as possible,

>USCG regulations state that it is more than just a good idea on vessels less than 20 feet


>second is demonstrated in this video.

http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=2087

granted you wont drill holes in your boat, but in case of a circumstance that a stump or a rock descides it wants to test it.....

the dampening and structural benifit are also a factor in boats that see a lot of wave action

 

[109jb]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

Q: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

A1: Safety in case the boat swamps.

A2: Some boats take advantage of having to use the foam and use it for structural purposes.

Tons of threads. Do a search.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

To save your life.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

Cool video. I wonder if Lund will donate it to us! We can fix it.

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

Thanks for the info everyone. The Lund ?holey boat? video says it all!!!

And yes, there are a lot of threads where ?foam? is mentioned. I did search it out and until now I find there is no thread exclusive to the subject of foam that includes the answers to my questions.

Great explanations! Now I see why folks go through so many pains to get the old out and then replace it with new.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Why are boats manufactured with foam in the hull's voids?

Because a boat with a hole in it does not displace water...

and there you have it...end this thread, we have a winner!!