Will a poly boat sink if swamped or hulled?

[Scooby Steve]

I did a search on this and come up with nothing so if you can indulge me for a moment that would be cool, would poly boats float if swamped or hulled?

Say a polycraft for example was going through a bar crossing and got flipped would it float at all and if so would the nose be the only thing sticking out of the water or would it float belly up? Or would it sink to the bottom, i'm talking the standard hull not the one with foam injected into it.

Also if you did manage to breach the hull (say you hit a sharp rock, yeah i know what your thinking you probably still wouldn't punch a hole in it) what would happen in that situation.

Cheers.

[chin]

I certainly don't ever want to find out, but they are built to a certain standard ...... level flotation I think? For the last few years they have been putting foam in the hull, although I'm sure my 4.55 doesn't have it, must have been made pre-foam.

[BigFella]

Poly boats will float, as Chin pointed out they are sold with level float properties. Plastic or poly has its own flotation properties, whether or not it would sink I think would depend on what or how much gear you had in your boat. Lets face it we all put way too much "stuff" in our boats, way more than needed?
As for the foam that is often injected at the factory, although some models come out with a limited amount of foam placed in strategic locations to aid in stiffness most models only have this done when the survey option is ticked.
This is only done to reach "marine survey" standards for the relevant authorities depending on the customers needs.

[Giffo]

Here is a pic that really sold me on Polycraft back in 2002 when I bought mine.I thought that if I was crossing the Bar (Currumbin or Tallebudgera ) and was swamped,if you still had power you may be still be able to make way.8 blokes in the boat filled with water until it spilt over the transom,doing pretty good I think !

[poly]

hay Giffo i think we need to take photos like that with a grain of salt, the question is will it float like that while being tossed around on a rough bar.
When swamped she will float there is no doubt about that, just how well that's another story.
I my self hope never to be put in a situation were I will find out just how well they do float

Paul

[Giffo]

Well, I would hope not to be in the situation where the offal hits the occilator (sh!t hits the fan ) on a bar,but better being in a Poly than being in a tinnie of similar size if it does !

[poly]

Well, I would hope not to be in the situation where the offal hits the occilator (sh!t hits the fan ) on a bar,but better being in a Poly than being in a tinnie of similar size if it does !

and that is something we can all agree with

Paul

[Giffo]

Yes ,agree fully.I have had my poly in some interesting (possibly stupid),(read lead in Doug ! )situations on bar crossings,and it has performed remakedly.Some mates that have been in it have also been very surprised with it's seaworthyness for a small boat.9 years of ownership,unknown hours,heaps of fish(unlike Doug laugh1) and all kinds of conditions,love my Poly boat.

[Scooby Steve]

Thanks for the replies appreciated.

[Andy]

The answer actually "depends". Most tinnies have foam under the seat, my poly craft has nothing. If things where to get really bad, then my boat would sink. If you have positive floatation then there is less chance of it sinking. Any boat can sink. Polycraft has the benifit of dual skins, but so do a lot of sailing craft and I have seen them go down.

Those adds showing 20 blokes in a polycraft are a con. Its in calm water and the chances of a boat sinking in conditions like that a pretty slim. Take it for what it is.

[Giffo]

I will take my Wheelie bin over a Coke can any day !

[MIGS]

hear hear Giffo well said !