Does floatation foam give structural support?

[l_boyle]

No, foam does not give structural support. It save your boat from sinking to the bottom of deep water.

[l_boyle]

Wow, high density foam can blow your boat apart if you get too much of it in there... Just like that "Graet Stuff" uses around home.... I put a lot of it around my window one time, it expanded so much that I cannot get the damned window open... Hummmm, warped boat hull, will not plane well..

[Ike]

It depends on whether or not it is done right. Ifyou follow the manufacturer's instruction to the letter it should not absorb water. All foam degrades over time due to shock and vibration. The only thing you can do about that is not use your boat.

Again, if you do it right it will not blow your boat apart. And yes there is such a thing as structural foam. Foam is used in all kinds of structures to add stiffness and reduce weight. It is used extensively in boats in longitudinals on the bottom of boats in what are called Hat structures. It does not add to the sheer strength or compressive strength, but it does add stiffness.

If you read the instructions and figure out how much foam you need so you don't overfill the compartment it will not blow your boat apart, but just in case get a 1 or 1 1/2 inch hole saw and cut a hole in the top of the compartment so if it over foams, it has someplace to go. This is common practice in boat manufacturing.

[jimslade]

Thanks IKE.

[seven up]

yea, thank-you