Steel boats

[AlexHall]

I'm sure quite afew of you have steel, and I'd just like to know what you have done for insulation. I'm sure its a never ending story but I'm not too fond of spraying foam and rather like the idea of being able to remove panels and deal with the steel when necessary. What stuff to use, Neoprene, ensolite, Expanded Polystyrene, rockwool, glass wool.?
How does it perform in a lived in boat?

 

[ean_p]

Hello Alex
the recommended practice is to have sprayed on closed cell fire retardent foam (a specialist job so you couldn't tackel it!!) this not only insulate and sound proofs but also creates a vapour barier up against the steel plate which effectivly stops condensation and also prevents corrosion. will also think that its just about as cheap as anyother method. Don't use expanded poly 'cos of the great fire risk...rock wool and glass are not the best materials to handle and remember that you'll be living in close proximity to them and that the boat is always on the move and working...neoprene sounds quite good but i would imagine will be very expensive nor will it provide a vapour barrier.....think the choice is yours.....and why will you want to get to the inside plate...you'll soon know if its damaged from outside and rust if it happens inside will show signs like streaks of colour running down at the bottom of the insulation (yes it has a bottom!!! the recommendation is to stop at sole level so that water in the bilge does not rest in ,on or under the foam and any that washes up there can drain away). The need to then remove a little foam will be a minor consideration....the only compication being how to replace it......

 

[Guest]

try Paul Homer 01458 832955
www.insulationsprayfoam.co.uk

 

[PaulJ]

I second that. Paul Homer did an EXCELLENT job on my boat - nice guy, conscientious and very reasonably priced.

 

[PaulJ]

Ah...... I've just noticed that Alex is in Malta........ Paul Homer is conscientious but I doubt if he would go that far!

 

[AlexHall]

Thanks all, it seems the general consensus is sprayed on foam, which as paul quite rightly poin ted out is some what tricky to arrange from here.

In the mean time came across an army surplus warehouse with a vast quantity of Czeck or East German ground sheets or ground rolls, its dark green, very flexible about 1/2" thick and priced at £0.50 a piece(6' x 2'). It looks like neoprene but without the regular airpockets/bubbles, have tried glueing with evostick very successfully.

Slightly concerned about flamability though.

Might go for it but would like to know what material it really is first.

Thanks for now,

 

[AndrewB]

Marmox?

My yacht has ordinary polystyrene sheet insulation, 2-3" thick. This works very well as insulation. Cut into rectangles to fit between stringers, it is convenient to insert and remove behind the lining for maintenance purposes. But I've been worried about the fire risk, and that it can degrade if wet.

I hate the idea of spray-on foam. There are a couple of older steel boats in our yard, now beginning to suffer with internal rust, and its a nightmare to remove. Equally it would be a problem if welding on the outside.

I've recently bought some <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.marmox.com/doc/construction_board/construction_board_intro.html>Marmox boards</A> from Travis Perkins. Closed cell polystyrene, waterproof, fire resistant to class O (whatever that means), sold for insulating bathrooms, and intend giving that a try. Anyone else thought of using it?

 

[polarity]

Hi Alex
There is a long and involved discussion on this over at the metal boat society forum that might help. www.metalboatsociety.com It even has its own section!

Paul

Paul
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.polarity2.com>http://www.polarity2.com</A>