Aftermarket hull build, Foam or no Foam?

[CRJ]

always foam the tray. I had my square go under, i was very glad it was foamed. Save 3 lbs and risk it sinking or take a poop before you ride and prevent losing your thousands and thousands of dollars.

I'd hope you could figure out which option is the best.

 

[bach6177]

always foam the tray. I had my square go under, i was very glad it was foamed. Save 3 lbs and risk it sinking or take a poop before you ride and prevent losing your thousands and thousands of dollars.

I'd hope you could figure out which option is the best.

I understand that it's 3 lbs now but that will most likely turn into 15 lbs later when the foam gets wet. That is what I'm trying to avoid.

 

[Quinc]

Ensuring a air based ski doesn't let water in, ignores the possibility of a cracked hull. While not common, people do hit each other, hit the bottom, fail a trick from high enough to crack. Engine compartments can be reinforced, but trays often are not.

It's a lot of ifs, but I think everyone who has lost a ski thinks those things won't happen. The day I almost lost my x2, I thought everything was fine, until a Pipe cooling issue took out both my motor and my bilges. I thought I had enough foam in my tray, and thankfully I did Just barely for the conditions. Sometimes things just go bad suddenly. What is the plan b?

Insurance! =)

 

[Quinc]

I understand that it's 3 lbs now but that will most likely turn into 15 lbs later when the foam gets wet. That is what I'm trying to avoid.

The closed cell "Pink" foam from home depot that everyone is talking about will not absorb water.

 

[CRJ]

I understand that it's 3 lbs now but that will most likely turn into 15 lbs later when the foam gets wet. That is what I'm trying to avoid.

Thats why you use pink foam. it will not absorb any water, even if submerged for years. DO NOT use pourable two part foam.

 

[BrightE's]

This thread is getting ridiculous.

Using 2 part marine grade foam above the bond line is the most reasonable way to fill the gunnels. If you want to cut your gunnels, in addition to your tray, and go through all the extra labor of cutting, filling and glassing both now, fine, enjoy.

We are talking about a coast guard approved marine grade, closed cell, 2-part urethane. It is for all intents and purposes with exception of complete and long term, shock absorbing submersion, waterproof. Are you storing your ski upside down, undrained, after each ride? No.

Be practical. Yes, use PP or EPS for the bottom deck, it wont absorb water ever. Use 2-part in the top deck. Or just do whatever you want and PP/EPS the whole thing, there is no more advise to be given here.

 

[bach6177]

This thread is getting ridiculous.

Using 2 part marine grade foam above the bond line is the most reasonable way to fill the gunnels. If you want to cut your gunnels, in addition to your tray, and go through all the extra labor of cutting, filling and glassing both now, fine, enjoy.

We are talking about a coast guard approved marine grade, closed cell, 2-part urethane. It is for all intents and purposes with exception of complete and long term, shock absorbing submersion, waterproof. Are you storing your ski upside down, undrained, after each ride? No.

Be practical. Yes, use PP or EPS for the bottom deck, it wont absorb water ever. Use 2-part in the top deck. Or just do whatever you want and PP/EPS the whole thing, there is no more advise to be given here.

I agree this thread went farther than intended. It's main purpose was just too see if there was any noticeable differences in how the ski rides whether it has foam or not. Although I really do appreciate all of the advise on different ways and options to go about foaming my ski, along with all of the comments in general weather they were serious or comical.

 

[BrightE's]

I agree this thread went farther than intended. It's main purpose was just too see if there was any noticeable differences in how the ski rides whether it has foam or not. Although I really do appreciate all of the advise on different ways and options to go about foaming my ski, along with all of the comments in general weather they were serious or comical.

ughh. Sorry I got my feathers all rustled. All the options for foaming are def in the thread.

The ride difference is slight. It puts a hair more weight in the butt of the ski that in my opinion is not that noticeable.

The argument thus becomes is this extra bit of weight worth it? Some say no, most say yes. Air chambers or a sealed tray are great in your ski for floating, but as someone mentioned, a rock, or a floating piece of wood, or practically any number of things could crack or puncture your ski, and that's when the panic starts if you're not foamed.

I guess unless I was a competition only rider, riding where there are lots of people, and a low chance of losing my ski even if it sinks and every pound counts. Yeah, I probably wouldnt foam. But for most guys, foam is a better insurance than actual insurance.

 

[bach6177]

I didn't choose no foam. Rickters come with no foam in the tray. If I had the choice there would be foam

Really? Rickters don't come with foam?

 

[JT_Freeride]

Really? Rickters don't come with foam?

This is what I'm told that the Evo has no tray foam just gunwale foam.

 

[dmpus]

This is what I'm told that the Evo has no tray foam just gunwale foam.

Wrong, rickter edge has 2 part foam in the tray as well as gunwales
For you guys that complain of foam getting water logged, as long as the foam is marine grade, it will probbably get wet after 20 years of riding unless you store your ski under water..

 

[JT_Freeride]

Wrong, rickter edge has 2 part foam in the tray as well as gunwales
For you guys that complain of foam getting water logged, as long as the foam is marine grade, it will probbably get wet after 20 years of riding unless you store your ski under water..

I said EVO not edge

 

[eastcoastjumper]

My fr-2 has thin sheets of soft white foam layed vertical in the gunwales. I found it there while repairing the tray. It almost felt like underpad. I'm not sure what material it was but I had a bad scenario happen to me last month and my ski was bobbing just enough to save it from sinking in the middle of the ocean inlet. Thankfully I reacted promptly AND had a tow rope around my waist. My friend dragged it upside down under water back to the beach through the surf break.

Thank you rickter for putting flotation in this ski!!!

 

[swapmeet]

Ok ok ok...
Hold the F up....


You came in here, asked the most experienced group of people on this subject on the face of the planet what to do....... then bonded your tray with nothing underneath?

On a FF Glass Backie Chan?????

 

[Big Kahuna]

Uh, It was already bonded.............

 

[blaster800]

My fr-2 has thin sheets of soft white foam layed vertical in the gunwales. I found it there while repairing the tray. It almost felt like underpad. I'm not sure what material it was but I had a bad scenario happen to me last month and my ski was bobbing just enough to save it from sinking in the middle of the ocean inlet. Thankfully I reacted promptly AND had a tow rope around my waist. My friend dragged it upside down under water back to the beach through the surf break.

Thank you rickter for putting flotation in this ski!!!

You have a real friend there, thats like dragging a barge ! you owe him !