Date: Fri, 14 Jun 1996 14:52:27 -0400
Message-Id: <199606141852.OAA61132@onlink1.onlink.net>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
From: John Winters <onlink.net!jwinters@imagelan.com>
Subject: Peanuts
I haven't been following the thread on peanuts as flotation so maybe this
has been already mentioned but I pass it on in case it hasn't.
Some years back styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) was the most common form of
floatation in production boats. It was cheap and worked. With time its
defect appeared. The styrene vapours in the hull's enclosed spaces
dissiolved the styrofoam. As a result it was legilated that polystyrene
foams be encased in a vapour proof bag. Many builders just changed to
urethane foams.
If you use polystyrene beads the deterioration will be faster due to air
circulation so a good bag is essential.
As for mould, "out of sight, out of mind". I have seen the inside of sealed
compartments after time, heat and moisture have done their job and it isn't
pretty but no one noticed.
Cheers,
John Winters
Redwing Designs
Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
Box 283
Burk's Falls, Ont
P0A 1C0
Canada