Flotation

Chuck Duchon wrote:

 > I'm looking for options to flotation bags for a plastic boat.
 >
 > Will the heat generated by pourable two-part flotation foam damage a plastic
 > boat?

That's one problem. The other is the fact that a lot of that stuff is
open cell, meaning that once the surface starts to crack (and it will),
the thing will act like a sponge. That's not good!

 > What are the advantages/disadvantages to carving a block of minicell to fit
 > the boat.

I have put minicell blocks in my Eskimo TopoDuo because the floatation
bags would always get stuck under the alminium footbrace and start to
leak. I also put a wall between the two seat made of minicell. I put a
similar block in front of the footbrace of my Eskimo Salto.

It holds up really well, because it will not soak up water, and it can
withstand some abuse as well. It just weighs more than a floatation bag,
and you can't use that room to stuff gear for multiday trips.

HTH

Wilko


--
--
Wilko van den Bergh wilko(a@t> dse <d.o.t)nl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://wilko.webzone.ru/" target="_blank">http://wilko.webzone.ru/</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Flotation 

Do you think the stuff specifically designed for marine use is open cell? I
know it's pricey at $70.00 or so for a qt but I was under the assumption
that it was closed cell and therefore waterproof.


"Wilko" <look-in.TakeThisOut@my.sig> wrote in message
news:1081334972.541304@news-01.evisp.enertel.nl...
 > Chuck Duchon wrote:
 >
  > > I'm looking for options to flotation bags for a plastic boat.
  > >
  > > Will the heat generated by pourable two-part flotation foam damage a
plastic
  > > boat?
 >
 > That's one problem. The other is the fact that a lot of that stuff is
 > open cell, meaning that once the surface starts to crack (and it will),
 > the thing will act like a sponge. That's not good!
 >
  > > What are the advantages/disadvantages to carving a block of minicell to
fit
  > > the boat.
 >
 > I have put minicell blocks in my Eskimo TopoDuo because the floatation
 > bags would always get stuck under the alminium footbrace and start to
 > leak. I also put a wall between the two seat made of minicell. I put a
 > similar block in front of the footbrace of my Eskimo Salto.
 >
 > It holds up really well, because it will not soak up water, and it can
 > withstand some abuse as well. It just weighs more than a floatation bag,
 > and you can't use that room to stuff gear for multiday trips.
 >
 > HTH
 >
 > Wilko
 >
 >
 > --
 > --
 > Wilko van den Bergh wilko(a@t> dse <d.o.t)nl
 > Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
 > Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://wilko.webzone.ru/</font" target="_blank">http://wilko.webzone.ru/</font</a>>
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Flotation 

Chuck Duchon wrote:

 > Do you think the stuff specifically designed for marine use is open cell? I
 > know it's pricey at $70.00 or so for a qt but I was under the assumption
 > that it was closed cell and therefore waterproof.

Good question... I only know about some experiments with the two
component expanding foam in kayaks in my old student paddling club that
went horribly wrong. In part because the surface layer was initially
waterproof and a little bit flexible but then started to crack after a
while, soaking up water, and also because of the heat of the chemical
reaction slightly warping the hull.

My other concern is removal: once you want to change it, or if you'd
like to sell the boat, can you still get it out?

Personally, I'd rather pay the 30 euro's or so that a giant block of
minicell costs (around here, that is) and cut it to the size and shape
that you need, than run the risk of using 70US$ foam and maybe getting
any of the three mentioned issues.

I've been playing with minicell and contact glue quite a bit over the
last couple of years, and I cut a perfectly fitting footbrace for my
latest kayak (Bliss Stick Flip Stick) out of minicell as well. That took
an hour or two, but it stays in my boat when I want it to (it's glued
in), comes out if need be and it fits my feet well.

--
Wilko van den Bergh wilko(a@t> dse <d.o.t)nl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://wilko.webzone.ru/" target="_blank">http://wilko.webzone.ru/</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Flotation 

How about another cheap and lazy suggestion? During the summer you can get
swimming air mattresses at the local Walmart for $1.50. If they are well
protected against punctures, that sounds like a winner to me.
Unfortunately, I'm still searching for hardware to lash stuff in .... If
you've got that figured out, let me know!!!

good luck!
- Steve

"Chuck Duchon" <cduchon RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:0Umcc.119851$8G2.79031@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
 > I'm looking for options to flotation bags for a plastic boat.
 >
 > Will the heat generated by pourable two-part flotation foam damage a
plastic
 > boat?
 >
 > What are the advantages/disadvantages to carving a block of minicell to
fit
 > the boat.
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Flotation