Buoyancy tank foam,
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7724
Printed Date: 14 May 25 at 9:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Buoyancy tank foam,
Posted By: Ruscoe
Subject: Buoyancy tank foam,
Date Posted: 02 Apr 11 at 10:06pm
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Hi, I am in the process of restoring/modifying a 70's Super Graduate, to sail with the little one. The Buoyancy tanks were filled with a foam which over the years has taken on some water. As per the class rules the foam need to be attached to the boa, although the years have meant this has now detached. I have removed all the old foam, but now need to replace it with something more modern that will not absorb water. Can anyone make some recommendations as to the best foam to use, and where to get it? Many thanks, Russ ------------- |
Replies:
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 10:23am
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people use all sorts of stuff - polystyrene cut off, old buoyancy bags, sealed up milk containers. My choice would be the polystyrene balls used to go in bean bags tied or taped up in very sturdy plastic bags. That way you can push them into all sorts of nooks and crannies. If you try to get 'the real thing' you will pay a lot more for the same effect. For even more esoteric and expert answers you really need to cross into cvrda territory... http://www.cvrda.org/community/ - http://www.cvrda.org/community/ this is very much our sort of question! cheers, Nessa ps webmuppet recently undertook just such a project for his littl'un, with great success! ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 10:24am
ps, if you still have those jibs I have a ToY now too which I reckon is crying out for a jib 
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 10:45am
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Nessa i am really sorry i had completely forgotten to pack them up and post them to you. I still have them and they are yours, i just got to remember to pack them up and send them. This weekend has been the first i have had time to breath for a while so if you send me a PM/E-mail tonight i will pack them up and get the wife to take them to the post office this week. As for foam, the Graduate rules say it needs to be permanently attached to the boat, so polystyrene balls are out i think. As are air bags (which was my choice, until i read the rules) ------------- |
Posted By: Contender 541
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 3:26pm
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Russ, this sounds like an obvious question but, have you asked the Graduate class what they do? ------------- When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780 |
Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 3:27pm
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How about swim noodles? You should be able to strap them down to the hull inside the tanks. I dont know how many you would need and if they would be cost effective. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200588014602 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200588014602 ------------- |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 5:58pm
Its not a common thing as i understand it. The graduate forum is really inactive as well. i like the swimming noodle idea, anyone know what they are made of? if i caould buy that foam in larger blocks it would be great. ------------- |
Posted By: Contender 541
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 6:07pm
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Russ
I think they are made of expanded PP.
If they are then it is a common material in packaging.
I rather suspect you have some contacts in that are you can tap up, but if not let me know and I can give you a few names.
BTW - You going to Burton nex week? ------------- When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780 |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 6:17pm
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Russ I peered into the tanks of our Supergrad and there's nothing in there. Perhaps I'm being dim, but why do you have to have foam etc. in the void - surely it's just a case of making sure that the tanks are watertight ? Cheers, Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 6:59pm
Stuart, Yeah we will be at Burton next weekend, had a really good sail today. Tim Rush is dropping off our new kite and hopefully new carbon poles and Twin Spinno... Nigel, The rules state that GRP boats have to have foam secured in the tank, the supergrads only have one tank and no bulkheads so i guess its in case you are holed. i have removed all of the foam from ours as it was full of water and no longer attached. Taking all of the foam out, the rear traveller moulding and a few other bits has saved me about 6kg in weight at present!!! So of this will go back on when i rebuild the deck/hull, fill her with closed cell foam (just in case) and then paint her. Wish i had weighed her at before i started.
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Posted By: Contender 541
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 7:12pm
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Russ - just done some more research - Expanded PE not PP
We dropped our new boat there today and rigged ready. Don't think we will be much better, but one less excuse!!
Can I have a full show and tell of the twin Spiro system - we now have a single ended continuous pole. As long as I get the timing I will be okay ------------- When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780 |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 7:24pm
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No problems mate, although we are only collecting the parts this weekend. I will write up a blog on how we fit it out. I hope to be twin poled and lazy guy'd up by Carsington....If i am allowed to go sailing over Easter. ------------- |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 03 Apr 11 at 7:48pm
| I've used Dow Floormate, which is a flooring insulation foam. Its supposed to take on less water than standard polysteyrene, but you still want to arrange it so it will never sit in water. If you are redecking the boat you can use it as side deck beams and save a bit of weight... |
Posted By: ifoxwell
Date Posted: 04 Apr 11 at 8:57pm
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I nearly sunk 2965 at a very windy Milton Keynes Open a number of years back when the boat folded up through the tension in the rig and it popped all the hatches. No idea what the foam was in the boat but it was all that got us back to shore that day. Ian ------------- RS300 |
Posted By: Ruscoe
Date Posted: 13 Apr 11 at 8:17pm
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Ian, I can imagine the foam is 100% necessary with the super grads being 1 tank!!! I will have to do a bit of digging to find some closed cell water proof stuff, i like Jims idea. I am modifying the old girl a fair bit, i have currently managed to loose a fair bit of weight from her... ------------- |