Foam in the bow remove or not?

« **on:** July 10, 2014, 06:45:33 PM »

I have been reading up and I noticed that people are saying to remove the foam in the bow. I would just like to know why?

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« **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2014, 06:48:36 PM »

It tends to hold water, plus for us closed bow jet boaters it's useful storage.

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« **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2014, 06:50:09 PM »

Got it. So should I remove all the foam?

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« **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2014, 06:52:38 PM »

I would while your at it, also if you ever have to replace your bow hook/eye you'll be happier you can actually get up there if/when you need to

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« **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2014, 06:53:58 PM »

That's a great point lol. Thanks for the info.

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« **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2014, 07:24:44 PM »

It is there for a good reason, that is to make pulling it up off the bottom unnecessary, or at least easier should disaster strike.
Modern materials make replacement easy. Some guys just fill the bow with those air filled pillows that sometimes come in boxes to protect fragile parts or at the UPS store. Hell some guys just use a bunch of life vests, but that is not really something I would do. Just go with something that won't get waterlogged.

« **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2014, 07:48:16 PM »

So your saying to replace the foam with some modern material?

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« **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2014, 08:06:46 PM »

Why would you not? It is very expensive to hire divers and you can't just leave it there when/if it sinks.
I'm sure lots of people would tell you differently so use your own judgement.

« **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2014, 08:08:49 PM »

Got it what material do you have in your bow?

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« **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2014, 07:49:10 AM »

Quote from: hallett1974 on July 10, 2014, 08:08:49 PM

Got it what material do you have in your bow?

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Not every manufacturer filled their bows with foam back in the day, just a few. Hallett was known for it and ,like you have already come to find, many guys have removed it. This may really depend more on where you do the most boating. If you are on the big lakes then I would find some sort of replacement if you do remove what's there. If on the river where depths reach 10' or so(give or take) then you may be fine running without it. Like GC said use your best judgement as it can help to have a little floatation in there if some were to ever go wrong. My bubbledeck is untouched in the bow and I have considered removing the foam but there is no real benefit other than extra storage for me at this point. The fix for that is get a bigger boat! Atleast that's what I did.

« **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2014, 07:52:42 AM »

Something easy and durable is car tire inner tubes. You can get all different sizes and they can be lashed together to fill the nose pretty easily. Plus they're durable. Make sure there's nothing sharp to poke holes in them like screws holding on the rub rail, or something coming through the bulk head. I think Harbor Freight sells the small ones for trailer tires. Other people use those foam noodles, but they will eventually die and turn to shit, plus they can be kind of pricey if you buy enough to fill the nose. If you can find the ones used by boat manufactures back in the 70's-80's they were like air filled pillows about 16" square, made out of a pretty thick vinyl. Those work great IMO, but don't know where to get them.

« **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:51:56 AM »

I have a 79 south wind, it has what looks like industrial strength beach balls made out of some thing like a water bed mattress would be made of.

« **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2014, 08:57:34 AM »

ive never ran any added flotation crap up front. store your life jackets up there and go have abeer.

« **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2014, 09:04:06 AM »

So do you have any foam or any flotation other then what was from the factory.

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« **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2014, 09:10:17 AM »

Since my boat is a popular model, anyone know what eliminator was stuffing into their bows? If anything at all...

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« **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2014, 10:07:59 AM »

Quote from: radical faith on July 11, 2014, 08:51:56 AM

I have a 79 south wind, it has what looks like industrial strength beach balls made out of some thing like a water bed mattress would be made of.

These are what I was describing when I called them pillows. I like these the best. They weigh nothing, don't wrought and will definitely float the nose in the event of an accident.

« **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:12:33 PM »

I heard of someone using empty 2 liter bottles with the caps on. Its probably what I will do.

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« **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:15:40 PM »

Really kind of sounds crazy. But hey whatever works. Dont know if I would use the
2liter bottles.

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« **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2014, 10:47:26 PM »

Quote from: el mojado on July 15, 2014, 09:12:33 PM

I heard of someone using empty 2 liter bottles with the caps on. Its probably what I will do.

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Those lids won't be air tight, so don't think that would work all too well over time.

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« **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2014, 03:59:47 AM »

I have been thinking about doing the same thing to my 79 sleekcraft rebel.

« **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2014, 07:15:54 AM »

Is this something that is really needed in our boats? Is it sinking that big of a possibility?

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« **Reply #21 on:** October 04, 2014, 08:07:12 AM »

Quote from: steves86ta on October 04, 2014, 07:15:54 AM

Is this something that is really needed in our boats? Is it sinking that big of a possibility?

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.....only if you get enough water in the boat!

« **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2014, 08:18:05 AM »

Quote from: icecreaman on October 04, 2014, 08:07:12 AM

.....only if you get enough water in the boat!

:-)

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