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"Reynaud" wrote in message
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"Dick Robertson" wrote in message
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I need to put some flotation in a kayak I'm building. Once installed
it will be difficult to access so it needs to be permanent. Any
suggestions for a simple inexpensive solution?? Something I might pick
up at Home Depot for example??


Years ago, we used to make canoes with a shaped polystyrene block fitted
vertically in bow and stern - the block was about 4-6 inches thick. Once cut
roughly to shape, the block can be rammed hard into the bow or stern where
it wedges itself firmly in place and stays vertical - we used to do canoe
surfing and the blocks rarely moved, even under extreme conditions. One
warning - don't be tempted to make a polystyrene bulkhead in front of your
feet in a canoe - if you're ever unlucky enough to hit a rock hard you might
just find your feet get posted through a one way letterbox and it can be
almost impossible to get them out again!

One other point, cutting polystyrene is very easy if you make up a hot wire
cutter - get a piece of 'resistance wire' from a scrap electric heater, fit
it in place of the blade in a hack saw or coping saw (it needs to be
insulated at the ends) and connect to a 12 volt supply - it cuts like the
proverbial hot knife through butter.

John.