Structural Foam

teacherspet

teacherspet

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May 23, 2011
90
Hunter Hunter Vision 32 Daytona Beach
Had to pull out the old water tank in the V berth of our Hunter Vision 32. On both the port and starboard sides you can see how the tank had structural foam which kept it pretty stable. It was a pain to get it out on the starboard side. My questions (1) What is the expanding structural foam I need to buy when the new tank goes in about 2 weeks? (2) Do I need to remove the foam on the port side or can I leave it in place?
 

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dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
13,022
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Jamestown Distributors has several types of expandable foam, contact their tech support for advice. One issue might be the pressure the foam exerts on the tank as it expands. Wondering if filling the tank with water before pouring the foam would be a good idea to resist the pressure. Wonder how Hunter stabilized the tank while pouring the foam, I doubt they filled it with water.

I suspect the foam does more than hold the tank in place. It may also stiffen the hull. Fiberglass tends to be a bit flexible in large flat panels such as found in the bow. The foam behind the hull could stiffen the hull and keep it from oil canning.

As for the port side, I'd put the tank in place and see how it looks and fits. If there are gaps or bulges then I would remove at least some of the foam and put in new foam.

In the true spirit of project creep, it might be time to change the fill hose and the vent hose. You will never have easier access.
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,429
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I'd use minimally expanding closed cell foam. You'll have to decide if you need to remove the port side foam or not.

dj
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,283
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
dlochner said:
Wonder how Hunter stabilized the tank while pouring the foam,
Click to expand
A reach out to the former Hunter Service Tech now working in the SBO store. He may be able to let you know how Hunter did it at the factory.
 
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teacherspet

teacherspet

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May 23, 2011
90
Hunter Hunter Vision 32 Daytona Beach
jssailem said:
A reach out to the former Hunter Service Tech now working in the SBO store. He may be able to let you know how Hunter did it at the factory.
Click to expand
What is the SBO store? Thanks for the input
 
Apex

Apex

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Jun 19, 2013
1,212
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
I used 16lb urethane foam to rebuild my rudder fro US Composites. Plenty strong, and in an open area could expand without much if any pressure at all. I purchased too much, and have an extra quart kit (1cu ft.). Expands 4:1, temperature is critical in how the foam acts.
 
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Stokeshc

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May 3, 2013
25
Hunter H23 Chickamauga lake
teacherspet said:
Had to pull out the old water tank in the V berth of our Hunter Vision 32. On both the port and starboard sides you can see how the tank had structural foam which kept it pretty stable. It was a pain to get it out on the starboard side. My questions (1) What is the expanding structural foam I need to buy when the new tank goes in about 2 weeks? (2) Do I need to remove the foam on the port side or can I leave it in place?
Click to expand
What tank did you replace with aluminum or poly. Im doing a refit on a vision 32 and po did not lave me the old ones
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,295
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
You don't have to over-think this issue. If you are putting the old tank back or an exact replacement, then you probably don't need to do anything to the undamaged foam on the port side. Choose a spray foam that has minimal expansion. Some advertise it such as this one:
Ask Jamestown as David suggests. It won't hurt to fill it with water ... at least all the deflection will be to your benefit.
 
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teacherspet

teacherspet

.
May 23, 2011
90
Hunter Hunter Vision 32 Daytona Beach
Stokeshc said:
What tank did you replace with aluminum or poly. Im doing a refit on a vision 32 and po did not lave me the old ones
Click to expand
I replaced it with Aluminum. It was a replica of my old one that I pulled out. Love the new one Jamestown Distributors helped me with the structural foam. Pricey but well worth it. Works really fast. The first three are from the old tank
 

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Stokeshc

.
May 3, 2013
25
Hunter H23 Chickamauga lake
teacherspet said:
I replaced it with Aluminum. It was a replica of my old one that I pulled out. Love the new one Jamestown Distributors helped me with the structural foam. Pricey but well worth it. Works really fast. The first three are from the old tank
Click to expand
Thank you so so much. would you happen to have the dimensions.
 
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Stokeshc

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May 3, 2013
25
Hunter H23 Chickamauga lake
Stokeshc said:
Thank you so so much. would you happen to have the dimensions.
Click to expand
also did it fit through your bulkheads. I have mine out but new ones ready to go in, so I am debating to go ahead and install them bc it will be a few week b4 I can have a tank made.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

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Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
Wondering if you really need the strapping since you are foaming. Could they cause micro chafing pinholes?
 
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