Foam Sandwich

[Old E.]

Hi,
Recently I have been reading about the use of "foam sandwich" to build these boats. I just don't under stand how. Are you supposed to take the prefinished panels and stitch them together like you would the plywood, or are you supposed to use regular (unfinished) Divinicell around a mold like the Phoam Phantom?

How different is the building process when using foam?

Thanks

[tech_support]

See my gallery of buildign a ph16 from foam sandwich.....

http://gallery.bateau2.com/thumbnails.php?album=164

Joel

[Old E.]

That link isn't working for me.

[UncleRalph]

That link isn't working for me.

Take the [/url] off the end.

[Old E.]

Thanks, that worked.

So you build a mold ant bend the foam around it. Was there a separate set of plans for the male mold? Not sure I understand how that was made.

Is there a substantial weight savings?

here is a strange question. Why were the "spot welds" and seams pink? It looks like polyester resin.

[tech_support]

spot welds are epoxy and micro balloons. I used the regular plans, but you have to take into account the thickness of the foam and offset accordingly.

There have been several posts on how much weight you can save. Basically the best way is to have a hull of plywood sandwich, and the insides foam core and/or nida-core. Try a search.

[anonymous]

Hey Shine,

Did you use polyester or epoxy? Also did you vacum bag the glas to the core?

Regards,
Niels
Jax, FL

[tech_support]

I vacuum bagged all the inside parts (flat parts are easy). I used all epoxy.

[jacquesmm]

In the plans for all foam sandwich boats, we include drawings showing how to use the existing dimensions to build the jig, it is just an offset.
We also include the foam and fiberglass specifications, different from the plywood version and details drawings showing how to bond frames, attach hardware etc.

[Mike Adams]

I've read a lot of comments on this forum about vacuum bagging of foam . The idea intrigues me, especially for cabin sides/roof, etc., but I must admit to being a bit nervous about trying something that seems so very different to any other building techniques I've ever experienced.

I know Joel does it all the time at Vero Beach, but how easy is it for someone with absolutely no experience to do? What equipment do you need to have for this process and how do you get started?

Any advice or pointers to useful info on the subject would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike