Making a Dan Buoy.: Waterproof container, builders foam

[davidpbo]

I want to make a Dan Buoy to aid picking up our home mooring.

I have the weighted upright scavenged from a skip to make a Dan Buoy, I have a container (Not watertight) formerly used for wet wipes, drilled top and bottom. I am considering filling it with foam. Am I right in thinking the usual builders foam is NOT closed cell and will absorb water?

Alternatively:

Can anyone think of a top hat style fitting that will fit over the pole (12mm ext dia.) and give a decent flange to glue to the float where the pole passes through.

or point me in the direction of a small buoy with hole through it to take the pole.

Our mooring is in fresh water.

T.I.A. David

 

[Giblets]

Am I right in thinking the usual builders foam is NOT closed cell and will absorb water?

Correct.

 

[andsarkit]

You could try a pole buoy. When inflated they clamp tightly to the pole and shouldn't need any additional fixing. various sizes are available.
https://aquafax.co.uk/catalogue/24593-anchor-pole-buoys
or fishing floats:
https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/en/gb/Buoys-and-Floats/c-43.aspx

 

[davidpbo]

Thank you, searching for through hole buoys etc. did not reveal what I wanted. This looks like it would do the job.

https://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/en/Polyform-Yellow-Purse-Float-C1/m-2716.aspx

whilst £20 Inc carriage is £20 it would save a lot of messing around. My pole diameter ext. is 15mm but that can be sorted..

 

[Laysula]

Small fender and tie it to your pole.

 

[Halo]

I made a dan buoy for my previous boat. The float was a 1 1/2 litre plastic beer bottle rammed full of polystyrene beads. I fibre-glassed over the plastic bottle and painted it. It lasted years and may still be in use.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have also used several plastic loo cistern ball cock balls with a screw sealing the open end.

 

[davidpbo]

I made a dan buoy for my previous boat. The float was a 1 1/2 litre plastic beer bottle rammed full of polystyrene beads. I fibre-glassed over the plastic bottle and painted it. It lasted years and may still be in use.

I was going to check if polystyrene was closed cell. We get a lot of packing "Worms". I think it is and you seem to confirm it.