What Foam should you use?
In Australia Bouyancy foam must be NSCV approved and you must adhere to AS 1799.1-2009 – Floatation Foam Requirements, which states where and how much foam needs to be distributed throughout the vessel
Closed-cell foam and EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) foam are both types of foam materials used for marine buoyancy. At CNC Marine we recommend closed-cell foam and here’s why…
- Closed-cell foam Closed cell foam is tightly pressed together and enclosed. The closed cell structure doesn’t allow for water or moisture to be absorbed. Closed-cell buoyancy foam is durable and resilience. It can withstand exposure to harsh marine environments, including saltwater, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations, without degrading or deteriorating.
- EPE foam: EPE foam is an open-cell structure, this means cells are interconnected. While this structure makes it softer and more flexible, it allows water and moisture to enter the material, reducing its buoyancy over time. EPE foam is more cost-effective and is widely available compared to closed-cell, EPE foam is excellent for packing, cushions and more, but isn’t the right choice for buoyancy foam.
Overall, closed-cell foam is preferred for applications where maximum buoyancy, durability, and water resistance are required, such as boat construction and marine floatation devices.
Do I require Buoyancy Foam and how much (if yes, do I require Level floatation)
In Australia any vessel under 6m in length requires at least basic flotation. But we recommend all our kits to have buoyancy foam. Once you have purchased your kit we will send you a document that contains the buoyancy foam calculations, which will indicate how much foam your vessel requires for flotation.
If your vessel is going into any form of survey (commercial operations) then it will require either level flotation or other, more structural methods for positive buoyancy.
The difference between Basic and Level Floatation
Level Flotation, a flotation system that will keep a boat carrying its maximum load from sinking when swamped, assuming the occupants remain within the boat and supported by the flotation system. The flotation system must be such that it will keep the swamped boat floating level, and prevent it from capsizing in calm water. Level flotation does not provide a self-righting capacity.
Basic Flotation, a flotation system that will keep a boat carrying its maximum load from sinking when swamped, assuming the occupants of the boat have left it and are in the water clinging to it. With basic flotation the swamped boat may float at any attitude.
How to install buoyancy foam
CNC Marine provides buoyancy foam calculation which will let you know how much buoyancy foam you will require to meet compliance, we will let you know where the foam goes and the quantity required.
The main foam we use comes in sheets, as we have fully sealed decks it’s more about cutting these sheets using something as simple as a kitchen knife, and arranging smaller sections into all the gaps under the deck. With level flotation there is a little more care required, and some needs to be put into the sides/gunwales.
Is buoyancy foam provided in the kit?
CNC Marine doesn’t provide buoyancy foam within a kit, however it is pretty easy to find, we have linked some buoyancy foam suppliers below.
Where to purchase Buoyancy Foam
https://pjbowers.com.au/products/neolon-buoyancy-foam/
https://www.boataccessoriesaustralia.com.au/boat-buoyancy-foam-epe