Stick on flotation?

Discussion in 'Materials' started by TwoBirds, Oct 3, 2017.

  1. TwoBirds
    Joined: Aug 2016
    Posts: 40
    Likes: 1, Points: 6, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Gulf Islands

    TwoBirds Junior Member

    Hi

    Years ago we had a canoe with a strip of flotation down each side a few inches above water line, just trying to find out what it might be and where to find some.

    It was a tough black foam, I think it was smooth, almost like rubber on the outside and was held on with bolts through the hull of the canoe.

    any ideas?

    2b
     
  2. JosephT
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    Location: Roaring Forties

    JosephT Senior Member

    I'm not sure which type you're referring to. I have seen foam strips used on canoes in two ways.

    1. Internal foam strips: I have seen these used in large whitewater voyaguer canoes (e.g. Clipper Mariner) & smaller whitewater canoes. These boats use long strips of tapered foam inside the boat just below the gunwales. They basically add buoyancy to keep her afloat.

    2. External foam strips (similar those at the link below).

    Canoe Sponsons - Flotation Strips - Bumpers - Stainless Steel Harware - 9-foot | eBay https://www.ebay.com/i/122154716927?rt=nc

    I prefer the internal strips myself...don't like any extra aero/hydro drag outside the mold line.
     
  3. TwoBirds
    Joined: Aug 2016
    Posts: 40
    Likes: 1, Points: 6, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Gulf Islands

    TwoBirds Junior Member

    Thanks joseph, that's exactly what I was looking for, my dad'll be 80 next spring and needs a bit of extra stability to feel safe so I'm going to put a couple of these on the canoe I'm building him

    2b
     
  4. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Wearing a fastened PFD always helps.
     
  5. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    Those are polyurethane foam. There are a few canoe manufacturers that install them as OEM. They are a great idea. Also what Bluebell said. A lifejacket is useless if you don't wear it.
     

  6. TwoBirds
    Joined: Aug 2016
    Posts: 40
    Likes: 1, Points: 6, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Gulf Islands

    TwoBirds Junior Member

    I don't know, a pfd makes a great seat cushion ;)

    he always wears a type 3, he just worries about falling out of the boat and not being able to get back in, these sponsons really make a big difference in stability, and a lot easier to get back in the boat.

    2b
     
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