styrofoam Boat jack stands

island trek1

island trek1

New Member
Nov 24, 2006
148
Lake Erie Islands
Boat Info
1998 Sea Ray 270SE
Engines
454 Mercruiser
Someone posting a week or so ago about a yard that used cinder blocks as jack stands. Anyone ever see a yard use styro foam? I am trying to upload a picture.
 
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My local MarineMax dealer has many, many boats on huge chunks of styrofoam, I guess they mostly use it for the long term storage, or just when they run out of jack stands. Noticed this awhile back. Since our lake is converting away from styrofoam to keeps docks afloat I guess they need to do something else with it. I will take a few pictures this weekend and post them unless someone else beats me to it....
 
My mechanic has a storage yard for winter storage, and any boat not kept on a trailer is on styrofoam blocks.

No pics to post though.
 
We use them all the time. I can't tell you the exact density, other than it's certainly better than "Igloo cooler" grade:smt001

The ones we've had, we've had for probably 15 years. EDIT: Actually, I take that back - more like 20+ years.
 
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skibum said:
Aren't they the same blocks that are used under floating piers?
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I can't speak for all docks, but the ones I've personally used for docks are not the same. Would they work? Maybe, never tried. I just know they're different. But, it's been so long since we've bought them, I'm not sure I could explain it too well - other than to say the dock foam is more "crunchy" and not as soft feeling as the ones for under the boats.
 
Rono007 said:
I'd rather have those under my boat than cinder blocks.
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True, so true, especially after seeing some pics of the blocks that froze and cracked then broke in Missouri and several of the boats were severely damaged. At least the foam does not do that.
 
Got the picture to load.
 

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StevenA said:
Wow that is top shelf, virgin foam from what I was going to post after this weekend. The stuff I have seen boats on looked like they just broke it loose from a floating dock and dropped a boat on it.
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Same here. The styrofoam blocks I have seen are a bit "flatter" and worn. Only a foot or so of clearance from the ground.
 
island trek1 said:
I wonder how much these styrofoam blocks would cost is purchased
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If you can still get them due to EPA restrictions, etc !! I think we would be shocked to find out the cost. I bet it would range from a few dollars to over a hundred dollars. Just like the old saying B.O.A.T. "Break Out Another Thousand".
 
The cost will depend largely on the density of material (ratio of resin to air) and how much is used (overall weight of the block). Given the compressive strength requirements necessary to hold a boat (1,000's of lbs), the density would need to be rather high. From an engineered prospective, the material of choice for this application would be a polypropylene (once again, very good compressive strength, U.V. resistance, water resistance, etc.). However, the boat yards that choose to utilize this blocking method might very well use whatever they can get their hands on.

I know all too much about foam materials and compressive strength, as I have spent the last 6 months developing a polypropylene rooftop support for work, which is exactly why I need a 3 week stint away from the office and on my boat :smt021. More information than anyone probably needed to know, but hey, that's what this forum is about. Maybe I can design a more cost effective, eco-friendly, engineered boat support and retire to a life of sailing!
 
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