FLOATATION
 

Hi just a quick question what is floatation i was recently told the boat i am purchasing doesnt come with floatation and to throw some in what is floation what do i use ect If someone could give me an in depth explaination it would be much apprectiated sorry if its a stupid question im new

RE: FLOATATION
 

it is used to stop your boat sinking if u flip it uside down or get to much water in the hull. i use the foam they make surfboards out of very lite but u can use pool noodles if u cant get some good foam. make sure u do this before your first run a lot have people have lost there boat on there first go

RE: FLOATATION
 

ok thanks, so do i just cut up a pool noodle and line the hull with it? will i need to stick it on or glue it?

RE: FLOATATION
 

glue it in wity some sika flex you can get it at your local hard ware. sorry buddy i should have told you on last post

RE: FLOATATION
 

I have started to use this stuff.
[link=http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/864206.asp]http://graphics.hobbypeople.net/gallery/864206.jpg[/link]

It is NOT like the spray foam you get at the hardware stores. During the expansion process, the foam has the consistency if soda fizz. once the expansion is complete, it sets. This way, you can get a complete fill in every void of the hull. I tested the foam first in a plastic bottle to see how it would react. As I said earlier, it was like soda fizz, very soft, and it doesn't push like the spray foam does. I then used it in my Mini-Cat. I cut an access, then poured it in. It worked perfectly! I sealed the access afterwords.

Here is the access I made after I closed it off.
http://www.diegoboy.com/misc/100_2048-sm.jpg

Here's what it looks like after the foam is set.
http://www.diegoboy.com/misc/100_2047-sm.jpg

RE: FLOATATION
 

You got lucky! A lot of times the 2-part or spray-in foams will blow the deck off the hull. If you use it in a nitro or gas powered boat it will also soak up fuel and oil over time.
Depending on the size of the boat, you can use pool noodles or foam pipe insulation.

RE: FLOATATION
 

Get small bubble plastic in a roll and doesn't soak up water , fuel and it light and there's formula but i think 30% of boat should have floatation. Don't use peanuts cause they dissolve in water. There's a gentleman in Canada when you visit his site, you can see floatation extending far into the main hull.

RE: FLOATATION
 

It wasn't luck Ron, I tested it on a plastic bottle. As I stated earlier, it expands like the bubbles on top of your cola, very soft, conforms to the cavity, it DOES NOT push. Once expansion is complete, it then hardens.
Is your statement on the 2 part foam based on experience, or common knowledge? I, on the other hand, know from experience with it. Unless there is another brand of 2 part that does react the way you describe, because this brand didn't. That is why I posted an image and a link to the brand I used.

EDIT:
As you can see, I didn't have an option for noodles, or pipe insulation. [:o]

RE: FLOATATION
 

Diegoboy,
There's probably as many different kinds of expanding foam as there are people looking for it. The biggies are that it ought'a be a 'closed cell' type foam, won't soak up water like the 'open cell' type foam does. It ought'a be fuel resistant if you use a petroleum type fuel. And it has to be sort of readily available.
I've had two experiences with expanding foam, probably won't have another (if I can help it ;)). In one, that stuff seemed to never quit expanding. In the other, it didn't expand at all, gooy mess. I was lucky in both instances, no damage except to my wallet (learned several new cuss words so it wasn't a total loss).
If the foam that you used worked well, then great! Some of us just aren't that lucky...
- 'Doc

RE: FLOATATION
 

Use the 2 part foam in the tips of the sponsons and nose. Use pool noodles in the running boards. Careful of the 2 part foam. I have had it get tooo hot during the setup process and it actually sucked the hull inwards. Same thing can happen if you leave the boat in a hot car. Pool noodles seem to work fine for me.
Aeromarine Conquest, Avenger Pro, PI Sport Hydro, Hurricane Mono

Don McGurn

RE: FLOATATION
 

I chickened out and put in scrap pieces of Dow blue or pink closed foam with a tiny bit of Silicone RTV to the boat. Noproblems. I did it when either the top or bottom skins were ONLY on.

Rich

RE: FLOATATION
 

I have since put it in 3 other boats with NO issues. I guess I'd better play the lottery with my luck the way it is! [sm=tongue_smile.gif]

RE: FLOATATION
 

Another post was very specific. Gasoline MELTS foams. Need to be sure it is closed cell and gas resistant. Stuff boat marinas use.

RE: FLOATATION
 

Let's go back to square one for a minute. It would be nice ot know what type of hull and powerplant that is being asked about as that alone can depend on what type of floatation material can be used. I've seen everything from beer cans soldered together to foam peanuts in baggies used.

RE: FLOATATION
 

He (nitrooreletric) did post another thread " DID I DO WELL " i can only asume that's the hull in question[sm=50_50.gif]