Adding foam for more buoyancy
 

I was thinking about adding some spray in foam to the back (unused) bilge area and possibly sides of my malibu stealth 12. I wonder how much this would increase buoyancy (ala boston whalers)? Any thoughts or experience on doing this?

Unless your yak fills with water and is in danger of sinking putting foam inside does absolutely nothing for you.


Emergency use only....and then you have to have enough.

Not sure it would add any extra buoyancy. Just if you started sinking.

Stinky Matt is not always right but when he is its about foam in yaks.

Not really any point unless you sink and then not sure how much it would actually help.

Talking from experience kayaks are pretty hard to sink especially on the back side of Catalina in lake like conditions. Just ask

If you want to be higher off the water buy a PA. If that's not high enough buy a boat.
Do the job that Malibu didn't, seal your hatches and your Stealth won't sink!

I ride one and love it!

M.

Yes he is.... just ask him.

NO!! PLEASE DON'T!!!!

My Stealth leaked through the hatches when I first bought it and was a little worrying so I put pool noodles inside for peace of mind. I used enough noodles to support the yak, myself, and my gear. I have them front to back so the yak will float level, and near the top so the yak won't want to flip over. 300lbs (10 noodles) of buoyancy probably won't keep me out of the water in case of a total flood but it will keep me and the yak on the surface for sure.

Pool noodles sound good, at least until i get the hatch problem resolved...

We've used thick 6' pool noodles for maybe 8 years now. They are relatively cheap for a couple of 6 footers each. We put one one the inside lengthwise, but outside the scupper hole tubes, and once in place we don't even know they're there. They've never interferred with anything when stowed like that, including the times we've stuck 2 large whites down below, or many of the other times we've stowed 4 rods down below, when flipping in the surf is a possibility. If the inside were somehow to get flooded, e.g. a hatch fell overboard (happened once) we'd feel safe knowing those noodles were down there, and probably save ourselves, the kayak and the gear, too.
As yet we've never had occasion to rely on them, and maybe never will. But it gives an additional sense of security on the big unpredictable ocean of ours.
To each their own.

Putting the foam would have the opposite effect if I am reading your post right... The foam would add weight. In an emergency it would displace the water that could fill your hull which is why Boston whalers are unsinkable.

What about just carrying one of these, I always do, but used it once.

It did come in handy when I had a "fail" surf launch. Had to pump water out of my old x-factor before I could haul my kayak and my sorry A$$ back to the car.

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/01...64_500X500.jpg

.....what he said :reeling: :jig:

Hey guys maybe the OP worded it wrong but I don't believe anyone thinks that adding foam inside the yak adds buoyancy while the yak is floating.

I was told that if you add enough foam, it created a helium effect. You would actually be a couple inches above the water. Sort of like a flying car/hovercraft...


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No Silly,

Actually adding Feathers, like a pillow to the inside of your kayak makes it lighter, and ride higher...and faster too!

Now that I'll believe


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One thing I have considered is the benefit of support a foam filling would have on stress areas ie. The seating area where the majority of your weight rests. I've noticed most sot kayaks after time start to leak around hatches due to your kayak flexing in the center where you sit. I've thought to add foam blocks under the seating area to prevent this and adding foam bracing down the outermost channels of the hull to make the hull a bit more rigid. I've never really been too concerned though but I have noticed that almost all kayaks I've owned older then a couple years old have had leaky hatches around these problem areas

I could have used some
 

Of that foam to keep me afloat when that 3 footer crashed on my head this afternoon at Leo . Getting ready for summer . Testing my crash and burn skills . Nothing has changed . My timing still sucks balls . :sifone:.

I know, i got swamped coming in at leo a few days ago!

Leo is fun, especially because you can really mess up your yak with all those ROcks. I have learned there one way in and one way out.

Adding foam to a kayak will not improve buoyancy unless the kayak is flooded. Still worth while in a safety since. I have 4 pool noodles stashed away in one of my kayaks. Mike

low tide
 

all the smart ones who stayed in the rocky section , breezed right in . me on the other hand ,did not want to put the first scratches on the new hobie and,decided to paddle in just south of rocks . i was doing good , timing the surf , and for once taking a minute to figure it out . when i had a game plan , big Sammy started to rush me in . :the_finger: . i got caught in no mans land with 3 ft wave crashing on my back . i leaned back hard , and was riding white water for about 1.5 secs. i think my mistake was , having rudder up , digging in blade to brace , or back peddling in hope of riding crest of the wave ? that actually put my right in the middle of the danger zone . thanks for hearing me out . anyway i am leaning toward a thread jack . forgive me . :D .

Thats ok, i think this thread had run its course! I like your harrowing story better anyways.