: I will be needing some floatation for my new SOF. I'm toying with
: the idea of using bean bag filler, i.e., small balls of
: polystyrene. I figure I could make a sleeve that will fit snugly
: in the hull (perhaps from a fine mesh) and fill it with the
: polystyrene. You can buy the filler at Wal Mart. It comes in a
: big bag and is extremly light yet, I'm guessing, very bouyant.
: As the polystyrene cannot absorb water, it will retain its
: bouyancy as well. You'd also not have to worry about leakage,
: like you would with inflated bags. I'm thinking that if you make
: the sleeves loose enough you can push and pull them out of the
: hull to allow proper drying.

: Comments/suggestions?

: Sean

Hi Sean,
It would work. kinda. But even though polystyrene beads don't seem to absorb water, they do slightly. Stephen's point about the air gaps tween the beads is a good one. I had a polyS beanbag get wet, it took ages to dry out and while it was damp, strange green ick grew in among the beads.

Air is much ligher. :D Specially trapped in an air bag.
Leaks in an airbag aren't that critical, unless it's a big hole and that is only a problem until you grab the duck tape.

Mike Savage
South West Cork