I have a 22' Catalina that I just bought. I was surprised to find out that it has foam in several places below the cabin fiberglass liner. I know the intent is to float the boat should it swamp, but quick caluations indicates that this is not going to happen (fiberglass + motor + rigging is too heavy). Has anyone ever removed the foam in their boat? If so, do you have any recommendations on how to best do this? Thank you Regards George
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T
Ted
It takes about 30 cu ft.
If the v-berth storage and the large area in the starboard aft section are filled with foam, then it is probably more than adequate. It take about 25-30 Cu Ft of foam to give the boat enough bouyancy to achieve positive flotation If you still decide to remove the foam You will probably have to cut and tear sections of it out. It will be messy. (assuming it is a urethane foam). Regards, Ted
If the v-berth storage and the large area in the starboard aft section are filled with foam, then it is probably more than adequate. It take about 25-30 Cu Ft of foam to give the boat enough bouyancy to achieve positive flotation If you still decide to remove the foam You will probably have to cut and tear sections of it out. It will be messy. (assuming it is a urethane foam). Regards, Ted
The foam is to provide flotation in emergency
to give the survivors something to cling onto while the Coast Guard looks for them. Did you see the footage on CNN of the 3 survivors being taken off their fishing boat after 54 hrs. in the water. What little could be seen looked like a fiberglass runabout that was still partially afloat. Manufacturers incorporate it now to add strucural strength and rigidity to the hull not to mention the acoustic properties in preventing your boat from being a large drum. Why do you want to remove it ?
to give the survivors something to cling onto while the Coast Guard looks for them. Did you see the footage on CNN of the 3 survivors being taken off their fishing boat after 54 hrs. in the water. What little could be seen looked like a fiberglass runabout that was still partially afloat. Manufacturers incorporate it now to add strucural strength and rigidity to the hull not to mention the acoustic properties in preventing your boat from being a large drum. Why do you want to remove it ?
G
George
George
I was interested in removing the foam for more storage space. Hearing that the foam also helps with rigidity is enough for me to leave it in. thanks for the note. George
I was interested in removing the foam for more storage space. Hearing that the foam also helps with rigidity is enough for me to leave it in. thanks for the note. George
G
George
George
To establish if the foam will keep the boat afloat, I compare the boyance (neg) of the boat of the boat to the amount of boyance of the foam. Calulating the displacment of the boat is easy when knowing the boat keel weight and material of construction. I estimate for the rigging. I then calulate how much volume of foam it will take to keep that amount of weight afloat. And then compare that number to my estimate of amount of foam is in the boat. I also assume the foam is completely closed cell so it won't absorb water (not really true) and the density of the foam (est .2gms/cc. Let me know if you want the numbers. But rest asure, if that boat fully swamps, that foam is not going to keep it afloat for very long. The only hope is to trap air in the cabin as much as possible. My calualations don't include the motor and all the other gear that one might have loaded. So don't forgo the life preservers and flairs when sailing the 22'. I will say this that on my venture 22, calulations did show that the boat would float if fully swamp. I subsequently heard of stories where people have hold the boat and it stayed afloat. But like I said above, I don't think my Catalina 22' would. Regards George
To establish if the foam will keep the boat afloat, I compare the boyance (neg) of the boat of the boat to the amount of boyance of the foam. Calulating the displacment of the boat is easy when knowing the boat keel weight and material of construction. I estimate for the rigging. I then calulate how much volume of foam it will take to keep that amount of weight afloat. And then compare that number to my estimate of amount of foam is in the boat. I also assume the foam is completely closed cell so it won't absorb water (not really true) and the density of the foam (est .2gms/cc. Let me know if you want the numbers. But rest asure, if that boat fully swamps, that foam is not going to keep it afloat for very long. The only hope is to trap air in the cabin as much as possible. My calualations don't include the motor and all the other gear that one might have loaded. So don't forgo the life preservers and flairs when sailing the 22'. I will say this that on my venture 22, calulations did show that the boat would float if fully swamp. I subsequently heard of stories where people have hold the boat and it stayed afloat. But like I said above, I don't think my Catalina 22' would. Regards George
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