Foam?

[gottaflylee]

Nope, they found me.

I have already had one "factory inspection"

The reason is the above ones that Bill mentioned and safety.

Duckin in the pamlico can be pretty sporty at times, and lots of skiffs get swamped, I have see ones with no floatation sink.

Esentially I am building a foam and wood core composite boat, all sealed and glassed.

When it comes right down to it, all foam will absorb some water.

Any idea what kind of foam carolina skiff uses in their floors?

I have a phone call into a factory rep for you Jay.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Nope, they found me.

I have already had one "factory inspection"

The reason is the above ones that Bill mentioned and safety.

Duckin in the pamlico can be pretty sporty at times, and lots of skiffs get swamped, I have see ones with no floatation sink.

Esentially I am building a foam and wood core composite boat, all sealed and glassed.

When it comes right down to it, all foam will absorb some water.

Any idea what kind of foam carolina skiff uses in their floors?

Got that right! Including the type Carolina skiff uses.
Holwachagot

[gottaflylee]

Jay, this is what he sent me, they call it "LOGS" It is n a PFD file and side ways. Click on "View" then "rotate view clockwise" and it will flip for you. This is all I could get out of him. I will talk to the friend of mine that used to build Southern Skimmers and try to get up with Donnie Cason of Cason Yachts in the next couple of days.

[billschwabe]

Sorry to hear they made it up there to you Jay! We kept them at bay for years since everything we built was documented and had a tuna permit which made it "commercial". Build one less than 5 gross tons and here they come though! Wouldn't believe the trouble I had proving to them that Divinycell was bouyant after being glassed on both sides, they thought it was heavier because of the glass. Finally convinced them by weighting down a piece in a kiddie pool, DUH! I can't begin to count the hours I've spent proving things were done right when I could have been building something instead. They didn't even care when I opened up the ABYC "bible" to show them relevant chapters, only CFR seems to make sense to them. I could understand it if you are building a subchapter T or S inspected boat, but a flats skiff??? Can't wait till they tell me they want one for destructive testing like they do larger production builders! Kind of like the auto industry, unless you're big enough to absorb that kind of expense, the small guys end up driven out of the business.

Gaylon and later Scott at Skimmer (who used to be next door to me) used the two-part expanding sponge. Years ago Ricky Gillikin found a cheaper foam made somewhere in South Carolina. It was a little crumbly but took epoxy with no problems and 1/3 the cost of Divinycell. I haven't been able to find it lately but I'll keep trying.

[james34]

I wouldnt be afraid to use the spray foam, but heres the kicker: LEAVE NO ROOM FOR AIR VOIDS. If the compartment youre putting the foam in is all foam with no airspace, then it virtually eliminates condensation, the number 1 cause of wet/waterlogged foam. Theres really 2 ways to do this: 1) Spray the compartment until its bulging over the stringers, then cut it flush with the stringers with a long hack saw, then lay a layer of chop over it then the floor. (This is how both Yellowfin Yachts and Invincible do it). 2) Spray until youre as level with the stringers as possible, no cutting is necessary leaving the foam actually closed cell. Then vent the area with "air boxes" which is a box with no top that vents under the gunnels, preventing condensation under the decks. I used #2 in a skiff I built in 1997. Last year I cut I hole in the floor to check the foam, took a core out and luckily, it was dry as a bone. I would also recommend that if youre usiing plywood flooring, to glass the bottom as well. This will significantly slow down the permeation of any condensated water into your deck. My deck was dry as well.