Polystyrene peanut packing foam

[Ron Zaker Jr]

Anyone ever used this for flotation in a glass hull?

 

[Grimracer]

I have not.. BUT.. if you could get them into a some what burst proof and water proof bag.. and maybe the size of a quart zip lock.. I say why not.. they just do not weigh a thing!

Grim

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

I have not.. BUT.. if you could get them into a some what burst proof and water proof bag.. and maybe the size of a quart zip lock.. I say why not.. they just do not weigh a thing!

Grim

yes exactly thx.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Get your self a 2mil or 4 mill bag and it would do jsut fine. The standard sandwich ziplocks are kind of whimpy. 1/2 mil They would work but not for the long haul.
Mike

 

[Daniel's Racing]

Any particular reason you don't use some flat foam or pool noodle ? I mean sure you can bag peanuts but better ways I think IMO.

I really like the looks of the closed cell foam as flotation as well as sound deadening you get from lining the walls.

Got a round noodle. Cut it in half and both are up under the deck too.

 

[Wasted wages]

DON'T DO IT...... I have a .60 mono sitting on the bottom of a pond in Louisiana because of those.. it was only about 2 months old... flipped and rolled hard going into turn 4 and somehow one or two of the bags tore or got thrown out
and the boat sat there deck level until the end of the heat...
by the time the retrieve boat got out to it, it was gone... peanuts floating everywhere...

pool noodles tywraped to the stringers...only way to go ..

 

[longballlumber]

I have seen other in the past use Ping-Pong balls as a flotation solution. Just another ideal.

 

[RaceMechaniX]

I know people don't like expanding foam, but I have used 2-part foam on sport hydro's, mono's and riggers without issue. Key is to pour in small batches and allow each pour to cure for several hours before pouring the next. Two-part foam adds a lot of strength to the front of sport boats and definitely helps with reducing splitting the nose open. I would recommend 3lb if you try it.

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

Any particular reason you don't use some flat foam or pool noodle ? I mean sure you can bag peanuts but better ways I think IMO.

I really like the looks of the closed cell foam as flotation as well as sound deadening you get from lining the walls.

Got a round noodle. Cut it in half and both are up under the deck too.

My engine well is a sealed area. I can cut noodles and get them in ,just looking for ideas ,thank you.

 

[Ron Olson]

Watch out as some packing peanuts are made from potato starch, not plastic foam.

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

Watch out as some packing peanuts are made from potato starch, not plastic foam.

Yes read that

 

[LawlessMan]

I get lots and lots of bubble wrap type packing padding. Both small (1/4") and large bubbles (more like 1"). Never tried it, but it seems to me it would easily fill areas and provide floatation with almost zero weight. I would probably use the small bubble type because it is easier to manage in tight spaces. Unlike a single bag, a few broken bubbles wouldn't affect the overall effect.

 

[Brad Christy]

Ron,

You could possibly fill a space with pingpong balls, coated with a thin layer of epoxy to lock them in place, then lay in some light glass over them to seal them in.

Just a thought.

Thanks. Brad.
Titan Racing Components
BlackJack Hydros
Model Machine and Precision LLC

 

[Daniel's Racing]

Maybe your situation requires something different I do not understand but if plastic bags with peanuts is a option closed cell foam seems like it would have to fit better and be the better option.

You will always get better flotation from solid pieces of closed cell foam. I would never risk loosing a boat to the depths using something less superior(buoyant) when it is available relatively inexpensively.

Features
Polyethylene foam is a strong and resilient closed‐cell foam, ideally suited as a shock‐absorbing material in packaging and padding. Polyethylene closed‐cell foam is available in sheets, cylinders, and tubes that are great for expansion joint filler (backer rod), insulation, buoyancy components, and packaging. Polyethylene foam's versatility can be seen across a wide range of applications, from archery targets and long‐term storage, to sill plate gaskets and bond breaker in masonry work. It is also made in an Anti‐Static formulation for the storage, packaging, and transportation of sensitive electronics.

Details

• Closed-cell, chemically cross-linked structure
• Lightweight
• Shatterproof
• Non‐dusting
• Excellent buoyancy
• Superb strength and tear resistance
• Excellent shock absorption
• Impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria
• Superior chemical and grease resistance

 

[Wasted wages]

Plus you can hide a couple of 3/4" wrenches inside the pool noodles during heats that have really rough chop and the wind is blowing hard... helps settle the boat down..


Follow me for more race winning tips ....

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

Maybe your situation requires something different I do not understand but if plastic bags with peanuts is a option closed cell foam seems like it would have to fit better and be the better option.

You will always get better flotation from solid pieces of closed cell foam. I would never risk loosing a boat to the depths using something less superior(buoyant) when it is available relatively inexpensively.

Features
Polyethylene foam is a strong and resilient closed‐cell foam, ideally suited as a shock‐absorbing material in packaging and padding. Polyethylene closed‐cell foam is available in sheets, cylinders, and tubes that are great for expansion joint filler (backer rod), insulation, buoyancy components, and packaging. Polyethylene foam's versatility can be seen across a wide range of applications, from archery targets and long‐term storage, to sill plate gaskets and bond breaker in masonry work. It is also made in an Anti‐Static formulation for the storage, packaging, and transportation of sensitive electronics.

Details

• Closed-cell, chemically cross-linked structure
• Lightweight
• Shatterproof
• Non‐dusting
• Excellent buoyancy
• Superb strength and tear resistance
• Excellent shock absorption
• Impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria
• Superior chemical and grease resistance

see pics of scale boat on FB you'll see what I mean. The only access is thru the tank compartment underneath between the sponsons.

 

[Grimracer]

go with the peanuts.. you can buy off the shelf HD zip lock bags.. (double bag)

Grim

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

Ron,

You could possibly fill a space with pingpong balls, coated with a thin layer of epoxy to lock them in place, then lay in some light glass over them to seal them in.

Just a thought.

Thanks. Brad.
Titan Racing Components
BlackJack Hydros
Model Machine and Precision LLC

went with ping pong balls,fit is excellent. 120 in more to go lol

 

[Brad Christy]

went with ping pong balls,fit is excellent. 120 in more to go lol

Ron,

I hope you're not buying them six at a time at Walmart....

Thanks. Brad.
Titan Racing Components
BlackJack Hydros
Model Machine and Precision LLC

 

[Daniel's Racing]

see pics of scale boat on FB you'll see what I mean. The only access is thru the tank compartment underneath between the sponsons.

Ron,
That foam comes in 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" flat sheets. You can slip it in almost anywhere.

You do some really nice work. Sure the reasons for ping pong balls is valid. Have actually heard of them used as flotation before.

That is a awesome scale. You really spent some time on detail. Very nice.