foam filled gunnels

[dbiscayne]

just started tearing into my 1970 19-1, seems like the gap between the liner & the hull sides is about 1" and just a big void.  Has anybody filled this area with foam to stiffen up the liner?
I've got some ideas but wanted to hear from someone thats done it.

thanks

[slvrlng]

Cool boat! I'd really like to see what you mean cause I'm betting my 19-6 is about the same and I'm about to start ripping it up as well! Neat motor as well. How does it push it!

[dbiscayne]

Thanks - picked it up from the original owner in Miami, it's completely unmolested still had the flip back console seat & fish cooler in pretty good shape, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to use the boat yet the deck is so far gone I'm not gonna put it in the water till I get some work done.  But from the original spec sheet it should have been around 33 mph with an 85 on the back, so hopefully I'll get just over mid 30's???  Just gotta rip the old foam out, cut the tops of the stringers off & get that foam out too as I'm positive they're wet inside, then re-foam, glass the stringers, new deck & paint.  Simple eh?
I've got a 1974 Robalo as well & that boat does have foam filled gunnels, makes a huge difference as far as stiffening up the boat goes & I'd rather have the floatation at the top half of the boat anyway.

[kyle19kenyon]

I know exactly what your talking about, that gap makes alot of noise when underway and in rought water. I filled mine in to beef it up, and take the rattle out of the boat. I filled mine with foam the best I could pumping it in seemed to work the best but i had my deck off so it made it a little bit easier.

[dbiscayne]

I've got the deck off now- what did you use to pump the foam?  I can figure out the hoses & routing, but what did you use to get it to go through the hoses?  I've only used the 2 part foam in a 'mix it in the bucket & pour it really fast' situation.

[kyle19kenyon]

Ya there a a system that you can pump the foam with, I just did a little at a time because it expands so fast.

Kyle

[orb]

I also have used the 2 part foam.
http://www.jgreer.com/boat-foam.htm
I bought it from this guy. Not saying you must buy from him, but that is the system. You can but it from boat repair places also. It expands really fast, especially the lighter 2 pound foam. You have to start with a small amount. I plan on filling in my gunnels also on my 222.

[bumpster]

Im just gonna say what others already have, BE CAREFUL with foam. Some of this stuff expands to ten times its original volume.