Replacing Floatation in Boat??

[Coach1310]

Okay.... so I have a problem with my livewell draining and I would like to install a radio and some accessory outlets in the same area. To do any of the work, I will need to cut/chisel out the floatation material that is in this area. How can I go about replacing it when I am finished? Is a huge deal if the shape/amount of the floatation is not exactly the same?

**By floatation, I mean the stuff they spray in various parts of the boat so it floats... it looks like a spray foam type of application that expands, but I'm not sure. The boat is a 1991 Alumacraft if that matters. Thanks for any help.

[leech~~]

Okay.... so I have a problem with my livewell draining and I would like to install a radio and some accessory outlets in the same area. To do any of the work, I will need to cut/chisel out the floatation material that is in this area. How can I go about replacing it when I am finished? Is a huge deal if the shape/amount of the floatation is not exactly the same?

**By floatation, I mean the stuff they spray in various parts of the boat so it floats... it looks like a spray foam type of application that expands, but I'm not sure. The boat is a 1991 Alumacraft if that matters. Thanks for any help.

What ever you do, don't just go out and buy the house insulation foam in a can. There are two types of foam. Open cell, and closed cell. The open cell will float for a while but will absorb water. The closed cell does not hold water. The Manufactures use a two part foam out of a gun that is also a lot heavier density so it just doen't crumble like the light stuff in a can. If you just need to do a little touch up the can would be OK. But if your removing a lot, I would call one of the boat repair places and see what the have or use.

[Surface Tension]

The foam is there to keep the boat from sinking if capsized or a large hole punch in the hull. Replace what you take out with any closed cell foam. Add the foam to an area that won't get wet or have the chance of gas making contact.