Hi Folks,
Although this is my first post here I have been lurking for some time. This is a topic I am familiar with. I recently replaced the foam, deck, stringers and bulkheads in a 1980 20 ft Formula. After removing over 30 lawn and leaf bags of wet foam, weighing over 1000 #'s, I thought there must be a better way. I have removed foam from several boats and thought I would try something new this time.
I ran a 1-1/2" PVC pipe in the bottom of each section that I refoamed. i drilled 1/2" holes in the pipe every 6" or so and plumbed this to empty into engine compartment (I/O).
Before pouring in the foam, I placed strips of cardboard over the pvc pipe to keep the foam from plugging the holes. My thought was similar to a French Drain system, if water ever does get in, at least it has a way out. I put expandable plugs in the pipe where it enters the engine compart to keep bilge water from backing up into the foamed areas. In the winter or trailering for a long period of time I just remove the plugs, its been 2 years now and no water as of yet.
When you look at these bioats with foam it really is a poor design with no waty yo get water out or air in. I also placed several of the pier plate covers in the deck over the foamed sections so i could see what was going on down there and get air in from time to time. So far so good and without all the additional weight removed the boat peforms unbelievably better that before. Just thought i would give you another idea to think about.
Also if anyone ever tells you that floatation foam does not absorb water, they have never done this job.
Thanks,
Butch