> hey guys, your ideas are really nice. actually, they are nice enough to
> make me want to adopt one of them. can anybody put a brand name of that 2
> components foam, & a place where I can get it (in the us) ?

> thanks

> erez

Most boat shops sell it. or can order it I'd bet. It is frequently used to provide sealed bouyancy in closed areas of small craft.

My 1999 Defender catalog has it on page 10. a quart of mix gives 1.2 cubic feet of foamed plastic, and that weighs 2.5 pounds, with a bouyancy factor of 70 to 80 pounds A quart from them is $17.95 and has a part number of FF20 Taht woudl be 16 ounces of part A, and 16 ounces of part B, giving a total of 32 ounces ( i quart) Twice that amount is part FF30 at $30.95. A gallon, which should do about 5 cubic feet is FF40, and sells for $50.95 Their phone is 1-800-628-8225 their web page is www.defenderUS.com They are in Waterford CT

E&B marine lists Evercoat two part pour foam -- a 2 pound density. 2 pints is E&B model number 314098 and Evercoat # 5611, for $39.99 2 quarts is E&B model number 314080 and Evercoat # 5612, for $64.99 Their phone number is 1-800-BOATING or 1-800-262-8464 and their webpage is www.westmarine.com They are in Watsonville CA

ClarkCraft has 'Foam It Yourself' floation foam. My price lsit from 1994 shows a package that makes 2.5 cubic feet of foam ( approx 150 pounds of flotation) for $21.95 This is their part number 06-025. At that time a kit for 5 cubic feet of foam was $39.75 and had a partnumber of 06-050. I have no idea if their prices have increased in the lst 5 years, or not. Clark Craft is in Tonawonda NY. Their phone number is (716) 873-2640 and their webpage is www.clarkcraft.com Whole the Clark Craft catalog is $5, you can get their price list for free by ordering it from their webpage.

In additon to these sources you can get single chemical foams. such as 'Great Stuff' at most hardware stores. These come in aerosol cans and can be a bit expensive if you need a lot. However, if you don't need a lot you may decide to pay the price for the convenience.

Personally, I prefer the Chicago Swimsuit approach: Get a 60 to 80 pound bag of sand mix concrete at the hardware or garden store for under $5. Mix it with water, and sit in it. It is a mixture of Portland cement and clean graded sand. It is the same idea as making a mold in beachsand, but this will not change shape once the cement in it hardens. Heavy, but cheap -- and your mold will be rock solid for many years.

Hope this helps.

Paul G. Jacobson