How many of y'all have floatation? I run deep water 50% of the time and shallow 50% and I'm trying to decide if I need it in my new boat.

I'll never own another boat with flotation.

insurance and balls

My hull probably weighs 80 pounds more than it should from set foam, I am prolly going to get it replaced after the season simply because it keeps my boat insurance down otherwise I would just remove it

I heard the new unicorn motors from mudbuddy are coming with floatation so when they fall off the boat you can locate it

That's why you're suppposed to wear life vest.

Where are you located? If my boat goes down in 33 degree water, I want something to stand on, so I have flotation. If I hunted where the water wasn't so cold, I would not have it.

Best thing to do is get out of water. Swim to shore or stand in boat and sit in water???

i'm in fl so swimming to shore wouldn't be fun but we could do it. my concern was not being able to get insurance money if the boat is lost on the bottom some where.

Tell the insurance company that you will keep a rope longer than the water depth tied to the boat with a crab bouy on the other end so you can find it if it goes down and maybe they'll give you a break

The most common mistake I see people make is leaving a boat. The majority that do are never found or if found they are dead. This is a big no no. A bobbing boat is much easier to spot than 2 people swimming to shore or walking to safety. This is the reason I carry an PLB on my mud boat / bay boat & an EPIRB off shore.

Hypothermia can set in real quick be sure you make smart decisions.

Of course if you have to walk 800 yards to dry ground leaving the boat to get help may be the best option just be smart.

I have a 1848 PD SBX... I cross open bays to get to marsh. It makes me feel a little safer.

I didn't read all this I swapped one boat floatation saved me but I went through the jetties in port o Connor Texas in a 14 ft with a five horse my gtr ain't got no floatation and it is legal in Texas uscg doesn't like it but fuck them

My Gator-Tail has passed USCG inspection 3 years in a row now. I have flotation.

No flotation, but I have 24 inch sides and do not exceed the boats limits. Just use common sense, monitor running conditions and don't push the envelope. I can add it later, I just get tired of scraping waterlogged flotation out of boats.

Why do you get yours inspected by uscg

I've been following this thread as I'm in the process of setting up my new company and I've seen time and time again water logged foam in aluminum hulls. Everybody is quick to share their knowledge of coast guard regulations but most couldn't be further from the truth. I found this on newboatbuilder.com. I've also been researching the legalities of sealed chamber flotation so foam is not needed. I will be talking to coast guard soon about all of this and will update my findings. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1358606679.911081.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1358606691.829947.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1358606704.928369.jpg

MoreImageUploadedByTapatalk1358606739.331139.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1358606751.957059.jpg

Oh man I've read it more than once and it is the stupidest most confusing crap ever. Most builders stay commercial but yes I would like to comply with coast guard but by using sealed chamber vs foam. I've dug out alot of wet foam in my day and hope not to have to put it in my hulls.

Get insurance and run the bank.

263.JPGboat was swamped twice going through the lock with 3 foot rollers. If not for the flotation, she would be on the bottom of the Trinity. It was less than a month old when this happened.

I will never own a boat with NO flotation again if i am going to take my family of anyone else in the rig. If its a lease boat i would have no flotation and never think twice.

I'll never own another boat without flotation chambers at a bare minimum. My next boat will be a barge....write that down.