Re: [Paddlewise] Floatation Foam

 Not sure if they'd be small enough to effectively get into all the nooks and crannies you've got, but I recall reading somewhere that Charles L. filled the empty spaces on "The Spirit Of Saint Louis" with ping-pong balls for floatation in case he had to ditch during his trans-atlantic flight.

Cheers,

Philip


 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Martin, Jack <martin.jack_at_solute.us>
To: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>; paddlewise <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Thu, Jul 16, 2009 5:27 am
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Floatation Foam










When I bought my VCP Pintail, I built a solid closed cell back rest to
fill the volume behind the seat and filled under and alongside the seat
with "window" expanding foam from the local Home Depot.  (The foam
designated for windows and doors expands less than the regular material
and has less potential for doing damage.)

Twenty or so years later, the stuff is still pretty ugly, but it hasn't
decomposed and still keeps the water out.  Doesn't smell worse than the
rest of the boat, either.  There's probably some limited water
retention, but it isn't obvious.  Can't tell if it has changed the
weight of the boat because it's way too heavy, anyway.  Works at its
intended function, and has not caused any difficulty in the long haul.
(Definitely wouldn't use it on any of my wooden boats, however -- a
really bad idea, regardless of epoxy bonding, glass fabric, etc.  Can
almost guarantee damage in that case.)

Joq 

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Lloyd

I have an older Necky Gliss that I want to fill some voids with to
completely eradicate water volume. Is there an expanding foam that would
have a high performance rating for continuous duty in a wet environment
that anyone can recommend?
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