Strength of styrafoam and epoxy resin with cloth

[ProcraftMike]

This isn't bassboat related, but I need some expert opinions here. I am wanting to build a duck boat or skiff, probably 12' long or so and probably partially enclosed, kind of like a sneakboat. Most of the homemade ones involve epoxy or fiberglass resin over wood. Though it is strong and will last, they normally weigh quite a bit. My question is, if you used some of the styrafoam that they wrap houses in (pink stuff) and fastened it together to form a boat, covered both sides in several layers of epoxy resin and cloth/matting, do you think this would work? I could add some reinforcements to the floor, with some wood strips or something. It won't have an outboard on it, only paddle power.

From my limited experience, I know the epoxy resin and cloth are very strong, but....

I know I should probably just try it, but I don't want to throw money out the window. Anybody have any knowledge in this area?

[DR Stratos]

Yes!!! It will work and still maintain strength and still be light weight.

Attached is tuturial with pictures, on how to build one and what do to. You will have to join, but it would be worth it. I have a friend that made one and survived quite well last year, and he loved it.

http://www.refugeforums.com/re...+boat

[BASSCAT7]

Dr. Stratos gave ya a nice site to follow.

The resin and cloth will work, just make sure to roll it out well and get all the air bubbles out of the laminate....ifyou want to add strength to the floor without adding weight use some 1/2 " thick balsa wood and cover it with a layer of resin/mat.

Basscat7

[Ritchie]

That is a great site, lot's of good ideas. Thanks for the link!

[Rollo331]

mike it should work ,where you need stength you can use scorefoam it is a balsa replacement and very light like balsa......i like it better its easier to work with(like balsa is hard)

[ProcraftMike]

Thanks guys, I new I could count on you for advice. Thanks Dr. Stratos for the link, it is just what I was looking for. This will be a fun project, since I like to tinker.


Modified by ProcraftMike at 12:47 PM 3/7/2007

[A Fn Noob]

Hey, you should consider the pourable structural foam they use for flotation. US Composites has up to 16lb foam. Even the 4lb is really tough when it cures, and definitely adds to the structure. Its pretty neat stuff.

It's hard for me to imagine styrofoam adding any structural strength to anything.

If I were going to build a skiff like you're talking about, Id do it with the styrofoam boards and lay up and inner and outer "shell", but not connected. Then separate the shells, take out the styrofoam and put in a few spacers, made from plywood of the same thickness as the styrofoam, running longitudally. Then tab the top and bottom section together so you have a hollow piece. Then pour in the structural foam. Styrofoam is not closed-cell like the polyurethane foam is.

I hope that makes sense. I'd have to draw a picture to explain it better

Hot glue-gun works good for quickly making a shape out of styrofoam boards.

[DR Stratos]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProcraftMike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks guys, I new I could count on you for advice. Thanks Dr. Status for the link, it is just what I was looking for. This will be a fun project, since I like to tinker.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Mike -

After you register with the site, do a search on "foam boat" and you will get several more threads of different "foamers" being built and different styles and techniques.

Here is the one my buddy built:

http://www.refugeforums.com/re...+boat

Here are a couple more:

http://www.refugeforums.com/re...25261

http://www.refugeforums.com/re...+boat