Has anyone used foam insulation to make their 22 (or any boat for that matter) unsinkable? I was thinking of maybe having an insulation contractor spray that expanding foam in the voids behind the inner "hull". Anyone know of any possible chemical reaction that may hurt the fiberglass?
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Chemical Reaction is not the problem
Really don't think you need to worry about the chemical reaction as much as the Heat and the foam expanding "beyond" the expanse of the void that you are trying to fill. This foam is used to insulate the icebox in your boat. If you decide to do this, make sure that the person that does it has liability insurance in case your boat explodes from the foam expansion. Remember the Titanic was "unsinkable".
Really don't think you need to worry about the chemical reaction as much as the Heat and the foam expanding "beyond" the expanse of the void that you are trying to fill. This foam is used to insulate the icebox in your boat. If you decide to do this, make sure that the person that does it has liability insurance in case your boat explodes from the foam expansion. Remember the Titanic was "unsinkable".
bad idea
As Steve says, the expansion of the foam could do real damage to your boat. I've seen this type of foam blow the siding off of houses that it was used on, and damage doors and windows by pushing the jambs in on the window. Do this at your own risk!
As Steve says, the expansion of the foam could do real damage to your boat. I've seen this type of foam blow the siding off of houses that it was used on, and damage doors and windows by pushing the jambs in on the window. Do this at your own risk!
use styro foam (?)
There is a web site by a guy who put floatation in his Catalina 22. He's got a very detailed write up on this. I think its at "www.sites.netscape.net/tedsailingpage" Try it, if it doesn't work, e-mail me Chris ckluczkowski@ato.com S/V Doghouse
There is a web site by a guy who put floatation in his Catalina 22. He's got a very detailed write up on this. I think its at "www.sites.netscape.net/tedsailingpage" Try it, if it doesn't work, e-mail me Chris ckluczkowski@ato.com S/V Doghouse
foam
Ditto on the bad ideas, with that type of foam, in other forums, I have seen people who use air bladders, or old inner tubes, also , some reference to bagged foam peanuts, like they use for packing, also many epople just buy block foam and cut to fit, this seems to me to be the best idea/ cut to fit and then leave in place, with or with out glue, in case you wanted to remove at tomse point, I think some day you may decide, that it is not that necessary, so may want to keep it sort of temp, Many people would not want to buy a boaat that had all storage areas filled with something that would be hard to remove, good luck MIke good luck, Mike
Ditto on the bad ideas, with that type of foam, in other forums, I have seen people who use air bladders, or old inner tubes, also , some reference to bagged foam peanuts, like they use for packing, also many epople just buy block foam and cut to fit, this seems to me to be the best idea/ cut to fit and then leave in place, with or with out glue, in case you wanted to remove at tomse point, I think some day you may decide, that it is not that necessary, so may want to keep it sort of temp, Many people would not want to buy a boaat that had all storage areas filled with something that would be hard to remove, good luck MIke good luck, Mike
Closed Cell
Whenever water is involved one should use closed cell foam as it doesn't adsorb water. Having said that, the warnings about the expansion powers of foam should be taken note of. Depending on how the foam is applied it will keep expanding, sometimes for a few days. So, when you're applying it and it appears to be fully expanded don't be surprised if the next day it has expanded some more. Bottom line, one has to be very careful working with this stuff especially with something valuable like a boat. There are more flotation systems becomming available all the time. There are a few Austrailian firms marketing inflatable air bags for blue water cruisers so if you wait a couple years there will probably be something on the market at a price that is more affordable. A possible advantage of an inflatable air bag is one may be able to take it off their current boat and put it on the next one thereby not loosing on the investment.
Whenever water is involved one should use closed cell foam as it doesn't adsorb water. Having said that, the warnings about the expansion powers of foam should be taken note of. Depending on how the foam is applied it will keep expanding, sometimes for a few days. So, when you're applying it and it appears to be fully expanded don't be surprised if the next day it has expanded some more. Bottom line, one has to be very careful working with this stuff especially with something valuable like a boat. There are more flotation systems becomming available all the time. There are a few Austrailian firms marketing inflatable air bags for blue water cruisers so if you wait a couple years there will probably be something on the market at a price that is more affordable. A possible advantage of an inflatable air bag is one may be able to take it off their current boat and put it on the next one thereby not loosing on the investment.
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