foam fill

[budguy]

Has anybody out there used expanding foam to fill the front sponsons on the 1/12 miss bud? The boat does not have much flotation. Aren't most out-rigger hydros front sponsons foam or styrafoam filled? I am afraid if the boat gets too wet it might sink before I can get to it. ???

 

[MarkScott]

Budguy,

Never seen the 1/12 Bud, but be careful of the expanding foam. I've heard of some that expands when left in the sun. Days - weeks after it's initial use. If you can, stuff some pipe foam into any crook / cranny you can find. I watched a bud of mine sink a brand new f-glass Sport 40 on it's maiden run. He did not use ANY foam. It went about 50', flipped and sank within 5 mins...

Mark...

OB Nut Racing: WOF won't sink!

 

[snowdog-2112]

Budguy,

I echo OBNuts comment. Besides the foam continuing to expand, it will also absorb moisture over time making your boat gradually more and more heavy. Another important point, though I cannot advocate the use of expanding foam, I must say, if you do, be very careful. It has separated a hull or two because of it's expansion characteristics.

Though I got off lucky when I used it long ago, I know of two folks who didn't. Yep! split the hull right in half. >

Cheers,

Snowdog

 

[bsmtboy2]

OB and Snowdog hit it on the head,that stuff is a hull KILLER it is always expanding and absorbing moisture. My personal choice is use a pool noodle,they are closed cell and will not hold moisture. Using pipe insulation isn't a good idea either,we had a club member lose a 60 cat that went dead in the water on the 2nd heat of 60cat, it sank before the race was over. Pipe insulation holds sediment and moisture over time (this boat was 2yrs old) which adds weight and allowed it to sink. Go to Wal-Mart spend 3.00 for a 5ft pool noodle cut it to fit and it will NOT sink.

 

[nitro junky]

i also use the noodles. it works great

 

[rcboatlover]

Target has them on sale this week for $1.00! Hurry up though, they won't last long. I bought six today!

 

[snowdog-2112]

Ok,

So pipe insulation is bad also! Budguy, this is the very reason why this forum was made. To help each other and draw upon the collective knowledge of all members. :

Regarding the noodles, it's nice to see we're using 'em ;D

Snowdog

 

[Saugling]

Mayby you can us a 2-component expanding foam which will stop expanding after some minutes - definitively! The normal expanding foam is horrible >

 

[budguy]

Hey, thanks everybody! I think I'll do the pool noodle. It is great to have a forum like this. I was ready to try the foam. - budguy

 

[MarkScott]

Watch out on the noodles also.. We were in the pool today with our 3 noodles.. The two that are over a year old did soak up water.. :

Mark..

 

[GTR]

Hi Guy's

A question - has anybody tried softening them up with a hairdryer or similar and moulding them in to sponson/gunwhales/other shapes?

It should make them fit the spaces perfectly and they will not move around if a nice moulded fit.

GT ???

 

[Shnick]

i quit using noodle foam in my deep vee, they do absorb water on the surface of the material, and any extra weight is bad weight... so i went to bubble wrap and ziploc bags... all air, no pores to soak in water, and lightweight. i sealed up the "zipper" of the ziploc with a thin bead of rtv, and havent had a problem, i also saw a hint years ago using soda cans glued together and secured in a hull...

Shnick ;D