Expanding isulation foam from screwfix for non-critical boating use.

[slawosz]

Hi,
I want to store few boxes under bunks and the hull has bit weird, inclined shaped there. I was thinking if I could use expanding foam from screfix to build a 'resting' place for the box, of I should use more yachty methods like plywood and some glass?

 

[KevinV]

Very easy to make a huge, hard to remove mess, maybe squirt the foam into a bag?

 

[KompetentKrew]

Don't do it. Weird shaped cupboards are just a fact of boating.

 

[TheCoach]

Expanding foam is evil stuff, very hard to use cleanly and effectively. If you are going to use it buy something like Soudal Gap Filler (also available from Screwfix) and buy the applicator gun that it fits. That way you can control the application and seal it so it doesn't go off in a couple of days.

The cans you buy from Screwfix are not very controllable and are almost single use as the foam gums up the tube and then goes hard really easily.

Cheers,

TC

 

[slawosz]

Thanks, how about 2 parts foam?

 

[KevinV]

Thanks, how about 2 parts foam?

Probably a better option - easier to control - but do a trial run in something you don't care about first. I'd still recommend a bag or suchlike but be certain (test) that it won't dissolve! PVA release agent might be simpler, but be very very thorough and then do it again. Whatever you do has to be removable, and not sweat.

 

[Tamar]

I used two part closed cell foam on my boat to fill some voids a few years ago. Horrible job and stuff, also pretty expensive. I mixed it in a bucket and poured it in. It expands pretty fast and sticks to everything, including you and the bucket.

 

[ashtead]

Not certain the mess created merits the hassle unless some other benefits? Why not just glass in a sheet of ply first to bridge the gap and then inject foam as required to insulate the void created?

 

[steveinnice]

I used two part closed cell foam on my boat to fill some voids a few years ago. Horrible job and stuff, also pretty expensive. I mixed it in a bucket and poured it in. It expands pretty fast and sticks to everything, including you and the bucket.

I think that's the stuff we used in high school when we made fiberglass kayaks. I remember the teacher told us that it gives off cyanide as it cures so we had to hold our breath while we pored it then ran out of the room. No H&S in schools then.

 

[Greenheart]

Not to pry, but what is going in your boxes, which has to be kept flat and upright? They'll still heel when the boat does.

It's true, the under-berth cavities in the Achilles 24 are shallow and their bottoms follow the inside curve of the hull...

...but I just used large rectangular flip-lid kitchen storage boxes - strong, clean and secure, whatever the contents.

It's also true that unless they're exactly the size of the cavity, the boxes slide and thump in a seaway, but were easily silenced by surrounding them with hand or dish-towels, for which there had previously been a greater need than supply, aboard.

 

[steveinnice]

haven't done this but my take would be
line the cavity with plastic
depending on volume, I'd loosely fill it with crushed up polystyrene sheet ( fruit boxes) or beanbag balls
fill with expanding foam
when cured, level off with a hacksaw blade or such
tack a sheet of ply on top with silicon or some glue that wont dissolve the filler
that way ,depending on situation you may be able to remove it if required, it wont be stuck to the hull.

 

[Plum]

Thanks, how about 2 parts foam?

Tried it once, many years ago, never again. Almost impossible to get just the right volume and far too much mess.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[slawosz]

Not to pry, but what is going in your boxes, which has to be kept flat and upright?

I should make some joke about my wife's china tea set I suppose

I will try to fit there "Really Useful Storage Box" 12 L and maybe Stanley Sortmaster, just to have more usable space. I am afraid that they will lift bed cover, thats it. I suppose I can simply find pipe, bottle or other round object to support it. Just need some simple and fast solution as winter is short and list of jobs is quite long!

 

[alan_d]

Hi,
I want to store few boxes under bunks and the hull has bit weird, inclined shaped there. I was thinking if I could use expanding foam from screfix to build a 'resting' place for the box, of I should use more yachty methods like plywood and some glass?

I think the best idea you had about this was to seek advice here rather than just going ahead with foam.

 

[Greenheart]

It's true, British winter feels horribly long until you look at the things to finish by spring.

I was thinking of smaller boxes than 12-litre ones...which cavity are you thinking of putting things in?

In my Achilles, the spaces under the sofa berths only allowed room for a rope-ladder and lifejackets, and a few of those foil-packed potato & bacon breakfasts from Waitrose...

...dammit! I think I left them in the boat when I sold her. ?

At Morrisons, I found about six sizes of lidded plastic tubs, the largest of which was probably three litres. Much bigger, I doubt would have fitted under the berths, but I may be misremembering.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Expanding foam is evil stuff, very hard to use cleanly and effectively. If you are going to use it buy something like Soudal Gap Filler (also available from Screwfix) and buy the applicator gun that it fits. That way you can control the application and seal it so it doesn't go off in a couple of days.

The cans you buy from Screwfix are not very controllable and are almost single use as the foam gums up the tube and then goes hard really easily.

Cheers,

TC

Turn the can " upside down" i.e. in the sense opposite to which it is normally used, and squirt until no foam comes out, just propellant. It will the be ready to re-use on another occasion (in the not too distant future).

 

[Boathook]

Hi,
I want to store few boxes under bunks and the hull has bit weird, inclined shaped there. I was thinking if I could use expanding foam from screfix to build a 'resting' place for the box, of I should use more yachty methods like plywood and some glass?

Why not make boxes to fit if you are going to use ply and glass. You could even make a test box using cardboard and a hot glue gun.

 

[Tamar]

Just one thing to bear in mind, the expanding foam out of a squirt can is usually open cell. It will suck up any water or hang on to moisture. I can't think of one reason to use this on a boat

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Just one thing to bear in mind, the expanding foam out of a squirt can is usually open cell. It will suck up any water or hang on to moisture. I can't think of one reason to use this on a boat

I think that others (@vyv_cox ?) have reported that a lot of foam advertised as closed-cell does in fact absorb water over time - it just takes a bit longer.

 

[Zing]

As others have said. Messy, messy, messy. Even messier if you try to clean the mess as soon as you make it.