Question on USCG and Flotation foam

For the CG standards on floatation your best bet is your local CG office.... As far as foam floatation goes... no, it doesn't make your boat float shallower. In fact it adds weight to your hull. I've assisted in foaming a few new hulls at a friends shop and I can tell you the bucket full of mixed, syrup like stuff that will in minutes kick off and turn into foam is darned heavy in your hands.

For anyone thinking of adding liquid foam into an existing hull (or one that you're building) please remember that the stuff has a terribly strong hydraulic force on any closed area you pour it into. I've actually seen floors separate and various installed parts actually move when that foam kicks off, if it has no where to go... Hope this helps.

 

http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/pdf/downloads/FLOTATION.pdf

 

Damn! From what I am reading all new boats are unsinkable! Is this really what I am reading? A little Whipray or Gheenoe cannot be sunk? :-?

Is every manufacture required to be certified? Or is this a option?

 

You can get your HIN mfg code from the CG by filling out a simple form, nothing of which on that form requires someone to provide anything that would indicate they have some ability to build a boat.

Used to be they would send along a book detailing what laws a mfg must meet, then it was a CD and now they send along the website link.   The CG should visit and inspect each mfg every year, but at Ankona we had our visit last month, first one in 2 1/2 years. 

Don't think that the CG is the first line of defense for a consumer getting a quality product.  They tell you the laws and expect you to build accordingly and they will get by sooner or later to check up on you.  Until then ...??

 

Well that's just kind of sad.

Just goes to show you need to do your own research these days and make informed decisions.