SilentJ20
Member
- May 26, 2021
- 63
- Boat Info
- 1994 SeaRay 220BR Signature
- Engines
- 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2
Apologies if this was shared before, but I couldn't find evidence of it.
The screw cover foam on the bottom of my windows has started to disintegrate. Still technically served their function, but wiping down the boat or washing it left black foam particles all over.
The most common recommended product is a painfully-priced (for what it is) Taylor Made foam. $32 for 6ft of foam (over $5 per foot!). I would need four pieces to have enough to do my windows. I know boats aren't a cheap hobby, but I was NOT spending $130 on cheap foam. There had to be a better option.
There really isn't one, though. At least not easy to find. Everything either has adhesive or is questionable quality. Enter McMaster-Carr. They sell weather-resistant EPDM foam strip, $20 for 10ft ($2 per foot). And because of the proportions, I could get away with two 10ft pieces for less waste than the four 6ft pieces I'd need of the Taylor Made.
https://www.mcmaster.com/93725K152/
Still a little much in my mind for FOAM, but it doesn't feel like being robbed. The material is a bit different, but better, imo, than what came off my boat (appears to be similar to Taylor made large-cell foam).
Foam comparison:
mcmaster-carr EPDM on top, used boat foam on bottom
EPDM on left
The EPDM has a MUCH smaller cell size and has a very good feel to it. I know I'm comparing this to my old foam, but the cell structure is most interesting. The ONLY downside in construction is there are joints in the foam:
Like they cut it from a sheet and glued it together. It's not as noticeable on the boat as it is under my shop lights here, and if I were using it as a gasket/seal for a box or something I'd probably care more. But in this case it's not a concern.
Installed on the boat (pardon the dirt, haven't done my 'springtime shine' yet) with an application of 303 protectant:
Time will tell how it does long-term, but I'm happy to have saved almost $100 for foam.
The screw cover foam on the bottom of my windows has started to disintegrate. Still technically served their function, but wiping down the boat or washing it left black foam particles all over.
The most common recommended product is a painfully-priced (for what it is) Taylor Made foam. $32 for 6ft of foam (over $5 per foot!). I would need four pieces to have enough to do my windows. I know boats aren't a cheap hobby, but I was NOT spending $130 on cheap foam. There had to be a better option.
There really isn't one, though. At least not easy to find. Everything either has adhesive or is questionable quality. Enter McMaster-Carr. They sell weather-resistant EPDM foam strip, $20 for 10ft ($2 per foot). And because of the proportions, I could get away with two 10ft pieces for less waste than the four 6ft pieces I'd need of the Taylor Made.
https://www.mcmaster.com/93725K152/
Still a little much in my mind for FOAM, but it doesn't feel like being robbed. The material is a bit different, but better, imo, than what came off my boat (appears to be similar to Taylor made large-cell foam).
Foam comparison:
mcmaster-carr EPDM on top, used boat foam on bottom
EPDM on left
The EPDM has a MUCH smaller cell size and has a very good feel to it. I know I'm comparing this to my old foam, but the cell structure is most interesting. The ONLY downside in construction is there are joints in the foam:
Like they cut it from a sheet and glued it together. It's not as noticeable on the boat as it is under my shop lights here, and if I were using it as a gasket/seal for a box or something I'd probably care more. But in this case it's not a concern.
Installed on the boat (pardon the dirt, haven't done my 'springtime shine' yet) with an application of 303 protectant:
Time will tell how it does long-term, but I'm happy to have saved almost $100 for foam.
