Has anyone used expanding foam in a boat hull for floatation? I have hear that "great stuff" will retain water,oil, etc... anyone know? I would prefer it between the blocks of foam currently in my hull to keep it in place and fill voids.
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blocks
blocks allow you to get future access to those areas, like looking for leaks and running wiring, hoses, etc.
blocks allow you to get future access to those areas, like looking for leaks and running wiring, hoses, etc.
Expanding foam
CAUTION! I have heard that expanding foam - when appliewd in an enclosed volume - actually has enough force to break the walls of the container!! You might want to try it out on something outside the boat!
CAUTION! I have heard that expanding foam - when appliewd in an enclosed volume - actually has enough force to break the walls of the container!! You might want to try it out on something outside the boat!
Packing peanuts in a bag
Don I asked a similar question on the general forum and got some great advice - check it out. In a nutshell (no pun intended) the best idea was to get a whole pile of packing peanuts (Mail boxes etc., ) and put them into a large garbage bag and stuff the space with that. That way you can get access to the area if you need to do repairs, etc.
Don I asked a similar question on the general forum and got some great advice - check it out. In a nutshell (no pun intended) the best idea was to get a whole pile of packing peanuts (Mail boxes etc., ) and put them into a large garbage bag and stuff the space with that. That way you can get access to the area if you need to do repairs, etc.
Expanding foam
The expanding foam is great. However do a few preperations first. I worked at, building boats, at South Seas and Mich Craft in Fla. years ago, both those boats used expanding foam for all the flotation needs. First, make sure you don't need to have access to where you are putting the foam. If wires run through the void, put a conduit over them, it will make replacing the wires or adding new ones latter easier. Make bulk heads to keep the foam where you want it. Laun or even cardboard will work. The foam can make a bit of pressure, however if you leave the hole you just put it in open, the excess will ozz out. Don't mess with it while its sticky, just mask the area off if you don't want a mess. It cuts with a steak knife after it dries, so getting rid of the excess is easy. You could even drill a 3/4" hole right through the liner, put the foam in, clean off the over flow, then just paint with resine and a little fiberglass cloth, to recover your hole. I used it to fill all those impossible to get to voids that collect water and smell. That way I get extra flotation, extra support under the floor, extra insulation (warmer,Quietter), and no more mildew smell!!
The expanding foam is great. However do a few preperations first. I worked at, building boats, at South Seas and Mich Craft in Fla. years ago, both those boats used expanding foam for all the flotation needs. First, make sure you don't need to have access to where you are putting the foam. If wires run through the void, put a conduit over them, it will make replacing the wires or adding new ones latter easier. Make bulk heads to keep the foam where you want it. Laun or even cardboard will work. The foam can make a bit of pressure, however if you leave the hole you just put it in open, the excess will ozz out. Don't mess with it while its sticky, just mask the area off if you don't want a mess. It cuts with a steak knife after it dries, so getting rid of the excess is easy. You could even drill a 3/4" hole right through the liner, put the foam in, clean off the over flow, then just paint with resine and a little fiberglass cloth, to recover your hole. I used it to fill all those impossible to get to voids that collect water and smell. That way I get extra flotation, extra support under the floor, extra insulation (warmer,Quietter), and no more mildew smell!!
Can you say isocyanates?
Expanding foam can be way cool stuff, but you don't want to put it anywhere near a sailboat cabin. It contains isocyanates, and which can give you chemical asthma if the mixing and polymerization is not complete. You really don't want to go there. Want to use it on your hobie cat, go ahead, but follow the cautions religiously.
Expanding foam can be way cool stuff, but you don't want to put it anywhere near a sailboat cabin. It contains isocyanates, and which can give you chemical asthma if the mixing and polymerization is not complete. You really don't want to go there. Want to use it on your hobie cat, go ahead, but follow the cautions religiously.
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