Brian D wrote:
: If your boat's 10 feet under, you're all done trying to float anyway.
: Flotation is designed to keep a boat at the surface, e.g. hard to push under
: in the first place (good luck) and hopefully to make the boat float upright
: if swamped (if you've got enough of a boat so you have room for the required
: flotation.)

Yep, I had a camcorder housing in my hand that was good to 30feet under. I
explained to the sales guy over and over all I wanted to do was use the
camcorder while kayaking and that if I was 30 feet under water I was in
pretty serious trouble and wouldn't mind losing the camcorder... he kept
trying to sell me the $800 full scuba enclosure...

--
John Nelson
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"Karin Conover-Lewis" wrote in message ...
How about a composite system where you use small empty bottles encapsulated
in 2-part foam? Originally I was thinking of a system like that using
ping-pong balls, but if cost is a factor the bottles would fill the space
much cheaper. I like the idea of ping-pong balls encapsulated in 2-part
foam, though. Kinda like REALLY big microspheres in epoxy. Might be worth
some experimentation.

--
Karin Conover-Lewis
Fair and Balanced since 1959
klc dot lewis at centurytel dot net



You can also "enhance" regular non regulation foam with two part. Pour
a little two part in. When it is set up put some blocks of cheaper
foam in the area and pour more two part around it to seal it in. You
could also use the soda bottles in such a manner, I would poke some
holes in them though.
Scotty



"Tailgunner" wrote in message
...
Here are my conclusions regarding that long thread I started about using
Ping Pong Balls for floatation..

Ping Pong balls are not cost effective. $20/144
PPB burn real nice.
PPB are relatively fragile.

2 Liter Soda Bottles are cost effective.
2 LSB can withstand the temp changes here in New England.
2 LSB looses volume quickly under external pressure. Designed mainly for
internal pressure.

Both will degrade in direct sunlight.

What will I do? More than likely I will fall in with everybody else and
use 2 part. I'll just have to make allowances for moisture to be able to
flow from bow to stern. With either of the other methods I would not
have to do this.

Thanks to all that posted.

--
Tailgunner
http://boat.nbrigham.com

I like the way you think!

I have a good mind to do a small dock or diving platform at the cottage.
Because I expect it to stay on the surface and the place it would be moored
in is only 12' deep I may forgo the vinegar / soda. Flatation for this
project should be considered for surface application only as after all if
they exceed one atmosphere of pressure all hopes of self rescue have already
vanished..

My two cents


Don E




"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
...
Pre pressurise your floatation pop bottles with a pinch of baking
powder and a drop of vinegar. Screw the cap back on, and you no
longer have soft bottles, but hard ones which will not lose
volume and bouyancy when they are submerged and get cold. the
caps are quite secure. Stick them together with cellophane tape
and expanding foam caulk, just a dot here and there to stabilise
the herd. You could probably build a skeleton for a boat out of
this kind of mess, then cover it with a thin skin of glass and
resin. Cello packing tape is phenomenal, I have used it down
wells and know that, at least in the dark, it withstands fresh
water immersion quite well.

I will be trying this idea one of these years, just to say I did
it.

The manager of our local bottle exchange said I could have a big
bag of about 1000 pop bottles for 50 bucks bag and all, but was
not enthusiastic when I suggested the guys leave the caps on for
some reason, possibly related to training and retention. Those
highly skilled lid flippers are hard to recruit, and get edgy
when asked to make major adjustments to their task descriptions.

This spring I may attempt to make a floating dock out of pop
bottles. 1000 bottles makes 4 tons of bouyancy. I am gathering
ideas as to the best method for construction. I want small
modules to enable easy in - out with seasons that include mucho
ice.

Terry K

Tailgunner wrote:

Here are my conclusions regarding that long thread I started about using
Ping Pong Balls for floatation..

Ping Pong balls are not cost effective. $20/144
PPB burn real nice.
PPB are relatively fragile.

2 Liter Soda Bottles are cost effective.
2 LSB can withstand the temp changes here in New England.
2 LSB looses volume quickly under external pressure. Designed mainly for
internal pressure.

Both will degrade in direct sunlight.

What will I do? More than likely I will fall in with everybody else and
use 2 part. I'll just have to make allowances for moisture to be able to
flow from bow to stern. With either of the other methods I would not
have to do this.

Thanks to all that posted.

--
Tailgunner
http://boat.nbrigham.com

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Jim Conlin wrote:

Just a minute!
Two-part foam is not necessarily a good solution either.
Some of 'em will soak water, getting heavy and encouraging rot and mildew.
They prevent access for repairs and wiring, etc.
THey're not cheap, either.

Have you considered inflatable items like truck tubes?

Truck inner tubes would make great flotation. They are tough & could be
inserted into any odd shaped space, and removed for repairs/maintenance. but
they're not cheap either.

How about those styrofoam packing peanuts stuffed into a trash bag? I've used
this for flotation and they work well. Price ain't bad either.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Greetings

Has this thread already mentioned "pool noodles"??

BL

BORDEN1000 wrote:

Greetings

Has this thread already mentioned "pool noodles"?

Well, it has now.

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Terry K - My email address is MY PROPERTY, and is protected by
copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce it is
specifically denied for mass mailing and unrequested
solicitations. Spamspoof salad by spamchock TM - SofDevCo ®