Removing Expanding Foam

[Mike Turner]

We just purchased a used hard dinghy (Columbia 8). A prior owner apparently plugged the daggerboard trunk and filled it with expanding foam for more floatation. I want to open the trunk back up to have a sailing dinghy. Can anyone suggest anything that will soften the foam to help in removing it, without damaging the fiberglass of the trunk itself? Or is this just a "dig it out" job? Also, if anyone can supply any info about this type dinghy it'd be appreciated! Thanks.Mike TurnerS/Y AmityLong Beach, CA

 

[Bob Howie]

Anti-Bond 2015

There's a number of ways to go about doing this. First, you can carefully drill holes in it with a wood-boring bit. They come in several different widths and that will help you remove the bulk of the material. Extensions for the bits are generally available as well, allowing you to reach deeper into the daggerboard well. Then, you can use a shipwright's chisel, or any wide-bladed chisel, and chisel out the remaining foam. A sharp chisel will cut through it pretty easily.Also, there is a product called Anti-Bond 2015, website is www.antibond2015.com, that actually I first used in desparation in trying to get some old, hardened yellow glue off my cabin liner; glue having been used to stick some velcro to the headliner so bug screens can be used. It's pretty remarkable stuff; even unsticks 5200! It's a little pricey, but it really works and you can get a small can of it at Boat/US or order it off the website.The job you are trying to do is a bit tedious, but it's do-able.Good luck.