waterant
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2023
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 32
- LOCATION
- Woodbridge, Virginia
Hi guys,
I want to share my DIY project because it will make any tin boat more stable and safe and not super complex to execute.
There was a lot of interest on the launch ramp with people touching the floats and giggling like they discovered something amazing.
My thread about the full conversion of this 12' 1976 Harber / Sears V-hull is here:
https://www.tinboats.net/threads/12-1976-harber-sears-v-hull-conversion.51128/page-2#post-510650
Making that boat heavier made it more stable, but it took 150 lb of the original flotation.
I decided to add flotation collars on both sides to add lost flotation back and make the boat more stable.
![PXL_20240604_181159377.jpg PXL_20240604_181159377.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102890-d0ac7d562c2eb75476035be0faf8c68f.jpg)
There are some versions of this built from PVC pipe or styrofoam, but I did not like the look or longevity of those.
I decided to use 4LB Cross-Linked Polyethylene (this is similar to EVA foam we use for decking but has fewer open cells and a more uniform surface)
I ordered 3x 1" 4LB Cross-Linked Polyethylene Sheets from foambymail.com. They deliver to US and Canada
https://www.foambymail.com/product/cross-linked-polyethylene-foam-4lb.html
This foam is firm and dense. I think 2LB version may work too, but it will be softer.
I asked them to cut it into 18 pieces of 72" x 8" x 1" at the factory.
The total cost was $447 CAD, which included custom cut, tax, shipping
I think the cost will be ~30% less if you ship to US.
This was enough for a 8" high x 6" wide and 8' long collar.
From what I could find, that adds 240LB of flotation (120LB per side).
Because foambymail.com had only 6' long sheets, I had to use 6' + 2' to get to my 8' collar.
I also took some pieces for another project and I have 1 piece left
so 14 pieces were used for this project.
To glue this foam, you can use a couple of products:
LePage PL 300 or LePage No More Nails Wet Grab
Wet Grab is the best option, but considering the area you need to glue, 300 is much less expensive if you use an 825 ml cartridge (I used only 2 of those at $14 CAD each)
I used 1 cartridge of Wet Grab to seal the bottom edge of the collar between the hull and the collar.
I glued the bottom 1/3 of the first strip to the hull because I already had a reinforcement aluminum bar there, and the hull is too rounded at the stern to get good contact.
![PXL_20240524_181100986.jpg PXL_20240524_181100986.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102891-316d459841daf7c354c943f811f484a7.jpg)
If I did that again, I would probably use Wet Grab for 100% of the first strip surface and find a way to clamp to get a good surface contact.
![PXL_20240524_183236004.jpg PXL_20240524_183236004.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102892-43a509809ab05e2860d516e0455b974a.jpg)
In my case, I filled the large gap with LePage Tite Foam - it's super rigid after it cured for a day so I did not lose any strength there.
![PXL_20240524_184003004.jpg PXL_20240524_184003004.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102893-3a7638e561a0b87c25cf1e988825ef9d.jpg)
The next stripes were straightforward gluing with LePage PL 300 to the first one
![PXL_20240524_230309021.jpg PXL_20240524_230309021.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102894-423d6814093858aad0681688db8bb48b.jpg)
You just have to make sure your clamping board covers 100% of the strip.
![PXL_20240526_133842162.jpg PXL_20240526_133842162.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102895-78bbfe7e087c3c7877e7b34ce2cc08e9.jpg)
After 4 stripes were glued, I added 4 2' pieces to the front.
![PXL_20240527_121341838.jpg PXL_20240527_121341838.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102896-1a4ddc2211b87ca390b47549155b4c56.jpg)
A better solution would be to use staggering 6' and 2' pieces so that the next one covers the connecting seam of the previous layer, but I decided to add 2' to the front only after I finished the main part.
An even better option is to use complete 8' stripes in the first place, but I could not find anyone who could sell and deliver that length to Canada at a reasonable price, so I improvised.
The next step was adding the last piece, which covered the seam, and trimming the edges to give the contraption a more "boaty" look.
![PXL_20240529_144221800.jpg PXL_20240529_144221800.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102897-2550b2c8710ab77983ee7552d424c579.jpg)
I was considering painting this stuck but ended up covering the seams and the surface with DAP DYNAFLEX 230 Premium Indoor/Outdoor Elastomeric Sealant, Black - not sure how long it will last, but it's only $7 CAD per cartridge, and I used 2 cartridges to cover both collars. So far, it's still holding after a day on the water.
If I do it again, I will glue the last piece(s) from edge to edge because using the steps like that made the next part more complex: adding the reinforcement bad to the outside to tighten this to the hull.
I made the reinforcement bar out of 8' aluminum bar 2" wide and 1/4" thick and used stainless steel hex bolts (6" and 5" long) with a stainless steel fender washer and nylon insulation washer.
![PXL_20240604_181135414.jpg PXL_20240604_181135414.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102898-a4babca69860ef73d945d745b0b83918.jpg)
![PXL_20240604_181147715.jpg PXL_20240604_181147715.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102899-fd0f95131e64cc13d9517a6e7dd2e9bb.jpg)
We already had the boat out on the water and had no problems going on the plane at 15+ knots with 2.5 people (2 large adults and 1 child).
The boat was super stable with both adults and the child sitting on one side to get the edge closer to the water so the child could reach the surface with his hand.
It felt like you would need another full-size adult staying right on the edge to get the water too close to the edge to be concerned.
I could not do much stability testing with a child on board but I'll do some the next time I get it in the water.
I hope you will find this useful, and let me know if you see any problems with this or have any questions.
I want to share my DIY project because it will make any tin boat more stable and safe and not super complex to execute.
There was a lot of interest on the launch ramp with people touching the floats and giggling like they discovered something amazing.
My thread about the full conversion of this 12' 1976 Harber / Sears V-hull is here:
https://www.tinboats.net/threads/12-1976-harber-sears-v-hull-conversion.51128/page-2#post-510650
Making that boat heavier made it more stable, but it took 150 lb of the original flotation.
I decided to add flotation collars on both sides to add lost flotation back and make the boat more stable.
![PXL_20240604_181159377.jpg PXL_20240604_181159377.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102890-d0ac7d562c2eb75476035be0faf8c68f.jpg)
There are some versions of this built from PVC pipe or styrofoam, but I did not like the look or longevity of those.
I decided to use 4LB Cross-Linked Polyethylene (this is similar to EVA foam we use for decking but has fewer open cells and a more uniform surface)
I ordered 3x 1" 4LB Cross-Linked Polyethylene Sheets from foambymail.com. They deliver to US and Canada
https://www.foambymail.com/product/cross-linked-polyethylene-foam-4lb.html
This foam is firm and dense. I think 2LB version may work too, but it will be softer.
I asked them to cut it into 18 pieces of 72" x 8" x 1" at the factory.
The total cost was $447 CAD, which included custom cut, tax, shipping
I think the cost will be ~30% less if you ship to US.
This was enough for a 8" high x 6" wide and 8' long collar.
From what I could find, that adds 240LB of flotation (120LB per side).
Because foambymail.com had only 6' long sheets, I had to use 6' + 2' to get to my 8' collar.
I also took some pieces for another project and I have 1 piece left
so 14 pieces were used for this project.
To glue this foam, you can use a couple of products:
LePage PL 300 or LePage No More Nails Wet Grab
Wet Grab is the best option, but considering the area you need to glue, 300 is much less expensive if you use an 825 ml cartridge (I used only 2 of those at $14 CAD each)
I used 1 cartridge of Wet Grab to seal the bottom edge of the collar between the hull and the collar.
I glued the bottom 1/3 of the first strip to the hull because I already had a reinforcement aluminum bar there, and the hull is too rounded at the stern to get good contact.
![PXL_20240524_181100986.jpg PXL_20240524_181100986.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102891-316d459841daf7c354c943f811f484a7.jpg)
If I did that again, I would probably use Wet Grab for 100% of the first strip surface and find a way to clamp to get a good surface contact.
![PXL_20240524_183236004.jpg PXL_20240524_183236004.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102892-43a509809ab05e2860d516e0455b974a.jpg)
In my case, I filled the large gap with LePage Tite Foam - it's super rigid after it cured for a day so I did not lose any strength there.
![PXL_20240524_184003004.jpg PXL_20240524_184003004.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102893-3a7638e561a0b87c25cf1e988825ef9d.jpg)
The next stripes were straightforward gluing with LePage PL 300 to the first one
![PXL_20240524_230309021.jpg PXL_20240524_230309021.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102894-423d6814093858aad0681688db8bb48b.jpg)
You just have to make sure your clamping board covers 100% of the strip.
![PXL_20240526_133842162.jpg PXL_20240526_133842162.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102895-78bbfe7e087c3c7877e7b34ce2cc08e9.jpg)
After 4 stripes were glued, I added 4 2' pieces to the front.
![PXL_20240527_121341838.jpg PXL_20240527_121341838.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102896-1a4ddc2211b87ca390b47549155b4c56.jpg)
A better solution would be to use staggering 6' and 2' pieces so that the next one covers the connecting seam of the previous layer, but I decided to add 2' to the front only after I finished the main part.
An even better option is to use complete 8' stripes in the first place, but I could not find anyone who could sell and deliver that length to Canada at a reasonable price, so I improvised.
The next step was adding the last piece, which covered the seam, and trimming the edges to give the contraption a more "boaty" look.
![PXL_20240529_144221800.jpg PXL_20240529_144221800.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102897-2550b2c8710ab77983ee7552d424c579.jpg)
I was considering painting this stuck but ended up covering the seams and the surface with DAP DYNAFLEX 230 Premium Indoor/Outdoor Elastomeric Sealant, Black - not sure how long it will last, but it's only $7 CAD per cartridge, and I used 2 cartridges to cover both collars. So far, it's still holding after a day on the water.
If I do it again, I will glue the last piece(s) from edge to edge because using the steps like that made the next part more complex: adding the reinforcement bad to the outside to tighten this to the hull.
I made the reinforcement bar out of 8' aluminum bar 2" wide and 1/4" thick and used stainless steel hex bolts (6" and 5" long) with a stainless steel fender washer and nylon insulation washer.
![PXL_20240604_181135414.jpg PXL_20240604_181135414.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102898-a4babca69860ef73d945d745b0b83918.jpg)
![PXL_20240604_181147715.jpg PXL_20240604_181147715.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/tinboats/data/attachments/102/102899-fd0f95131e64cc13d9517a6e7dd2e9bb.jpg)
We already had the boat out on the water and had no problems going on the plane at 15+ knots with 2.5 people (2 large adults and 1 child).
The boat was super stable with both adults and the child sitting on one side to get the edge closer to the water so the child could reach the surface with his hand.
It felt like you would need another full-size adult staying right on the edge to get the water too close to the edge to be concerned.
I could not do much stability testing with a child on board but I'll do some the next time I get it in the water.
I hope you will find this useful, and let me know if you see any problems with this or have any questions.