Emergency Floatation | SouthernPaddler.com

Emergency Floatation

funbun

Well-Known Member
Sep 11, 2007
214
1
Alabama
Do you guys build with emergency flotation? I'm getting ready to build a jon boat, more of a deckless barge. How do you determine how much flotation you need? Do you use empty enclosed spaces or fill it with foam or what?
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
10,479
123
Central , Florida
www.southernpaddler.com
funbun said:
Do you guys build with emergency flotation? I'm getting ready to build a jon boat, more of a deckless barge. How do you determine how much flotation you need? Do you use empty enclosed spaces or fill it with foam or what?

I don't use any flotation in mine , just sealed off ends in some of them. I did fill one with the Styrofoam popcorn for the heck of it.
From what I have seen with folks that used the foam , it creates more problems then it cures , it tends to hold condensation and rot the boat where it is. Or it gets wet , after a long time and water logged. I did repair a friends boat that had the foam in it and it was one mess. That is what made me decide to never use it.

Chuck.
 

BEARS BUDDY

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2003
1,492
6
76
BAY CITY MI
tx river rat said:
I have really good luck from pool noodles.
Ron
That's what I use. The openings in the bulkheads are a tight fit for the noodles so they don't float away. They are closed cell foam so they don't soak up water.