I am building an aluminium planing boat for commuting purposes on the Otago Harbour (NZ), 4 metres in length, 39 horsepower, full cabin, two occupants.
I want to make this boat unsinkable, and I have plenty of unused space, which I plan to encapsulate in aluminium sheet metal and fill up with a buoyancy agent.
Most boat builders use foam. But I'm afraid that'll shrink over the years. I want to use something more durable. But I cannot find anything worth buying - am I down to pingpong balls now?
Would love to hear some tips if you have any. Thanks.
2007-02-07 10:14:50 · 10 answers · asked by Tahini Classic 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
use a two part foam. It will fill in all the voids of the hull when you pour it in. It will not shrink. However one thing you should remember. If you get a crack in the hull that you need to weld you will not be able to weld it because you may set the foam on fire. The best thing to do with metal construction is to build in watertight compartments. Good luck Cap.
2007-02-07 10:48:52 · answer #1 · answered by mark t 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use closed cell foam, it has never shrunk on me. It is waterproof. Also consider ballast on your boat. They used to say 40% of the weight of the boat should be ballast. With newer designs they do not use that much, but it is important. Any keel on the boat for stability?
2007-02-10 04:35:27 · answer #2 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Search out air bladders for Marine use. Most buoyancy for the buck. Removable for future repairs. Large spaces: you may have to adapt larger bladders used for fuel/water. Ping Pong balls ??? maybe good.
2007-02-09 09:09:07 · answer #3 · answered by ibeboatin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on what happened to Unsinkable I....did it sink? If so, then no, it would NOT be a good name. Try reverse psychology, like "The Big Sinker".
2016-03-29 10:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
closed cell foam wont shrink ,waterproof, its hardy as, can be cut to shape, light weight and easily removed for maintenence
its the logical choice you should get 10 years out of it
2007-02-07 10:26:07 · answer #5 · answered by rutager 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
40 Boat Building Videos - http://BoatPlans.NaturallyGo.com/?kUR
2016-04-02 22:07:47 · answer #6 · answered by Abraham 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the two-part foam that they use on docks, won't shrink, or degrade from fuel, it will fill ANY void.
2007-02-07 18:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the expanding foam. If you make the space accessible then you can always refill when needed.
2007-02-07 10:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by T C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Helium.
2007-02-07 10:18:52 · answer #9 · answered by MJPeeper 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
dry dock it.
2007-02-07 10:23:22 · answer #10 · answered by tweed801 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋