Portable mod: Styrofoam?

[TiNK3R]

Was reading on the clam site and they suggested modding the portable using styrofoam then making cutouts of your stuff... essentially what everyone is doing on here only using that instead of wood (weight/replaceability)

Has anyone done something like this? Where in the heck would I get "bulk" styrofoam to do this?

I love the idea of keeping it light weight... and being able to mod it a lot easier is a plus.

Thanks!

[WinterHaven]

1/4" Acrylic is much better and is a lot lighter than wood. This is what I am using when I do my mod on my Clam Pro. It cuts easily and you can use a heat gun to mold it anyway you want it and it does come in black which is what I am getting.

[Sandmannd]

I got too big a but to sit on foam so I did mine out of wood.

[broman]

I thought about the styfofoam idea too. Haven't gotten around to it. You can buy the pink sheets from your local hardware store and then stack them up.

[jeepguy]

WHat exactly is the foam idea, I work for a foam manufacturuer and we can cut blocks of foam as big as 36" x 48" x 96". I may be able to help out with this idea.

[Sonicrunch]

What about those nice 4' x 8' sheets at the local building store. Not that cheap white stuff, but the nice foil covered stuff. That seems pretty sturdy for its weight.

[DTro]

WHat exactly is the foam idea, I work for a foam manufacturuer and we can cut blocks of foam as big as 36" x 48" x 96". I may be able to help out with this idea.

I wouldn’t mind being a guinea pig for this idea. If I could get one solid foam block to fit my Otter Lodge sled, I’d love to toy around with it and take some pictures/video.

[MuskieJunkie]

I used 4x8 sheets of 1" pink polystyrene (sp) foam in my Fish Trap Voyager, I stacked them up and glued them together with construction adhesive (which doesn't hold very well by the way).

I then cut out spots for stuff like my lowrance, propane tank, a 5 gallon bukcet, minnow bucket etc.

Here's my advice on the topic:

It's a good way to keep your stuff from sliding around and not add a lot of weight. However I carry a 20 lbs propane tank with me most of the time so do I really need to be so concerned with weight, probalby not.

It's hard to match the bottom contours of the sled so it probably won't look pretty when you done, at least mine doesn't.

A recipricating saw works well for cutting the foam but makes a big mess and it's hard to make tight turns (like for a 1 lbs propane tank), a electic carving knife would be better.

You need a good way to glue the sheets together, I haven't found one.

When making the cut out for delicate items (buddy heater, electronics etc) you only need to cut through the top few layers of foam sheets, thus leaving you with 1 inch of foam under your aqua vu for protection.

[DTro]

Actually the more I think about it. You are losing a ton of storage space with the foam idea. What if you bring other gear that doesn’t have a “designated” spot? Well then it has to get piled on top.

Just thinking about the Acrylic. Wouldn’t that get brittle in the cold?

Seems like Cedar would be a good choice. Light and naturally water resistant.

[MuskieJunkie]

WHat exactly is the foam idea, I work for a foam manufacturuer and we can cut blocks of foam as big as 36" x 48" x 96". I may be able to help out with this idea.

Hook a brother up!

What do you guys use to cut that foam? You would probably want to lop those blocks in half so they are 18" thick but even then it would be hard to cut a perfect circle for a 20 lbs propane tank or 5 gallon bucket.

[DTro]

I think they actually make special tools for cutting styrofoam. Basically a heated knife.

[MuskieJunkie]

Actually the more I think about it. You are losing a ton of storage space with the foam idea. What if you bring other gear that doesn’t have a “designated” spot? Well then it has to get piled on top.

Great point. Any foam that is in there takes up your cargo space. I thought about that when I made mine. My solution was to leave a big open space for the misc gear. Plus I planned out all the "cut outs" in order to minimize the foam area. So the final product is more of a skeleton that actually has as little foam as possible (I don't think I'm explaining that very well).

[jeepguy]

I am going to make a prototype for my voyager. I am a manufactures sales rep for an expanded polystyrene manufactuer(the white foam). As mentioned before some people think that the white foam can be cheap am break easily. But by using higher density versions of this material a sturdy organizer could be made. Foam is cut by using hot wires, this provides a clean crisp precise cut. A rather nice looking organizer could be made. I will update when I get around to putting something together.

[DTro]

My solution was to leave a big open space for the misc gear. Plus I planned out all the "cut outs" in order to minimize the foam area. So the final product is more of a skeleton that actually has as little foam as possible (I don't think I'm explaining that very well).

Makes sense to me.

[WTN4ICE]

Interesting idea. Would really like to see some pics.

[late night]

Yeah, do it. Then you can be the only guy fishing from a ice house in the middle of July! Would'nt that be sweet?!

[TiNK3R]

Nice! If anyone has any pictures that would be really helpful.

The guy using acrylic... where do/did you get it from? The black stuff sounds pretty cool.

[jigging-matt]

I did this with my Voyeaguer a couple of years ago. Took some of the Blue Styrofoam and glued them together. Fit it to the bottom of the tub and started placing items where I wanted them. I then used a sheetrock saw and it cut it very good. Afterwards I covered the foam in blue indoor/outdoor carpet. I made places for buckets. this helps to hold the misc items. I also made a wood box with a lid that holds all of the support poles for my voyeager. i will try to find the picks tonight when I get home from work. I posted them about a year ago if anyone is good at doing searches.

[MuskieJunkie]

Jigging-Matt's Pictures

[jigging-matt]

Muskie, thanks for the help. Just saved me a little time tonight when I get home.

[jeepguy]

FYI. The pink and the b;ue foam are identical products, extruded polystyrene.

[sparkydm]

For those using foam sheets and gluing them together, PL200 is specifically for foam board.