Spot fix the flotation foam

navipro · Sep 12, 2024

Hi Guys,
I am restoring and modernizing 99 Crestliner fishhawk. I have ripped out the floor and found that foam is mainly dry. There are couple areas around boat seats (6x6 inches) that have saturated foam. I was going to cut it out and refill with fresh foam. I can buy the kit for 120 dollars of closed cell flotation foam on Amazon, but I really do not need that much.
Anyone knows if any of the big box stores sells closed cell foam in cans (I think I just need a single can)
Thanks guys

LDUBS · Sep 13, 2024

Couple 6x6 areas, here are the things that come to mind:

-- I might just ignore it, meaning leave the spaces empty.

-- Stick some empty plastic soda bottles in the holes and call it good. Shoot a couple dabs of gap filling foam to keep them from rattling around.

-- Cut pieces to fit from foam insulation boards available at any big box hardware store.

Ray Clark · Sep 13, 2024

I'd do the foam insulation board thing like LDUBS suggests. Stash away the board you don't use in the event you need more in the future. A 4X8 sheet of 2" think foam can be had around here for well under US$40.

navipro · Sep 13, 2024

Thanks guys. i will do the what you suggest. Btw, the Orange store sells lepage gap filler that is closed foam. I might get one can and fill areas around pieces of sheet foam.

airshot · Sep 14, 2024

Why do anything with those areas ? Not hurtng a thing, and no advantage to you I can think of....

thill · Sep 14, 2024

Take a shop vac and put the end of the hose at the bottom of the saturated areas and turn it on. You may be surprised how much water is in there. The vacuum will pull it out. Check back in an hour or so and move the nozzle to the other spot(s).

Once that's done, fill foam from a can works fine for spots. Try to not put more than needed, so you don't have to trim it. Trimming is when water will get into it.