Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

I recently read an article on Howard Hughes Spruce Goose test flight, the plane was aparantly filled with beach balls to act as emergency floatation, the article indicated this was atypical and the norm for a sea place test was to use ping pong balls. After the test flight the beach balls were given to the spectators.

When I awoke last night to feed my five month old twin boys last night inspiration hit me. Empty two liter coke bottles for under deck floatation instead of foam. How much floatation would get from a 2 litre coke bottle? Would they fit under the deck of a 20 SeaCraft after it is raised 3 inches?

Just a strange idea...

JW

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

that ideas been tossed around - but if they were just hanging out down there when ever your running im sure the sound would be annoying. i think someone mentioned putting as many 2 liters as you can and then foaming it cause it would weight less and in the event that water does get in you will still have flotation even if the foam is all wet... lots to think about [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

FWIW, about 4.4 pounds in fresh water, slightly more in saltwater.

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

Maybe not so strange: I know someone who used the regular 16oz soda bottles for under-deck floatation. When you think about it, there shouldn't be any UV breakdown concerns and they are individually sealed in case of the hull being breached.

The only question remaining is how long would it take to drink an adequate amount of diet Pepsi to have enough bottles to fill the boat?! [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

we will all just have to start drinking the beer that comes in the plastic 16oz. bottles. With projects getting started for the winter, shouldn't be more than a week before we have a good supply of floatation devices.

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

I've been toying with the idea of filling several 6ft lengths of 2" PVC tube with cocaine (using pvc caps + epoxy and cabosil to seal the ends), foaming them in the cavities (under the floor), and running drugs. What do you guys think? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Seriously . . . the bottles are not a bad idea unless the containers fill up with water (somehow).
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This is completely off topic . . . but 2 liter bottles - (filled with water and frozen) are a great inexpensive way to keep you fishbox cold all day long.

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

But going back to the Spruce Goose, how about modern ultralight ping pong size balls?? Or does that lose to much space between them?

For the professional [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] - what about a shape that interlocks and would fit tight??

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

An old Yankee Boat builder in Connecticut by the name of Earl Brockway was known to use old light bulbs as floatation in the seats of his plywood skiffs.

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

How about just buying the second bilge pump and use it if needed. I think that’s what the make them things for. What do you think?? [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Low tech floatation-2 litre
 

I actually have three bilge pumps and two batteries, my 1969 hull has no foam floatation at all...and being a former owner of a "heavy" (water saturated foam) Whaler I am not a fan of foam.

JW