Foam flotation

[jg480]

I need to repair the backing plate for the bow eye on my 87 18'C. Unfortunatly I can't quit fit between the two big mounds of foam flotation on either side of the ski locker. Do the older boats have this foam and is it needed to support the deck or can I just pull it out?
Jim

[Formula Jr]

The foam isn't structural. Its just for floatation in case the boat is swamped.

[mrfixxall]

I need to repair the backing plate for the bow eye on my 87 18'C. Unfortunatly I can't quit fit between the two big mounds of foam flotation on either side of the ski locker. Do the older boats have this foam and is it needed to support the deck or can I just pull it out?
Jim

you can remove the rub rail and loosen all the screws on the deck,then lift it up by the ski locker with a jack (look for fibrerglass strips in the skilocker from the stringers to the floor first) and you can weasel your hand in their..

[jg480]

That sounds like a big job

[mrfixxall]

That sounds like a big job

with the proper equipment you can get it done in a day..you still have to get into the bow to remove the lifting ring tho..oncr you get the foam out its still hard to see the bow eye, you have to reach over a triangled piece of wood thats dlassed to the hull that the lifting ring is bolted too..

[MOP]

Hack the foam out the boat will be faster (NOT) but you can get at it!

[rustnrot]

If it were mine I'd remove the foam also...permanently. That will remove a few ounces of weight....

[roadtrip se]

Pull the deck or yank out all of the foam?

How about just finding a local kid who wants a quick $20?

[RedDog]

Pull the deck or yank out all of the foam?
How about just finding a local kid who wants a quick $20?
Now you're thinking. When my kids were little they were great for various projects like that - pull speaker wire through the crawl space, climb under the deck of the 18C, test the collar for the dog's invisible fence :lightning:lightning:lightning:lightning:lightning :lightning

[jg480]

I was thinking about using a local kid but I didn't want to set him loose under the deck with a grinder (to cut out the rotted backing).

[DonCig]

Make sure to tye a rope to the kids leg, it came in handy for me.
Don't ask.

[mrfixxall]

test the collar for the dog's invisible fence lol :eek!::eek!::eek!: gotta try that one!!!!

[Madcow]

Pull the deck or yank out all of the foam?
How about just finding a local kid who wants a quick $20?
I sent my 12 year old up there. She thought it was "icky", but got the job done.

[mphatc]

:eek!:OK, this sounds crazy . . but I'm thinking out loud . . :wink:

drill small holes from the outside where the backing plate block is located, inject into the block loads of Git Rot . .

You should be able to fill the glassed over area of the block with this stuff essentially replacing the backing plate block with a solid piece of Git Rot . .

Maybe I'm crazy . .
Mario L.