Insulation

[Texastailboard]

Hi Everybody. As we finally are getting more time to work on the refit of our boat a question came about on the way home from the boat today. Has anyone added any insulation to help with cooling. Like spray foam or other options behind the wall coverings on th hillsides or behind headliner? We were discussing that the ac units work pretty hard keeping the boat cold during the Texas summers. Thought a little insulation may help better than just the fiberglass deck and hull. Curious on yalls thoughts. ThanksBrooks

 

[Boatsb]

It will help. I have insulted the cabin side gunwhales and ceilings and brought the ac load down considerably.

Also windows are a huge heat load. Both from sunlight and the lack of insulation.

 

[Fanfare]

My salon headliner was stained from a leak (turned out to be the flybridge helm seat bolts). Since it was off anyway I added styrofoam blocks glued to the overhead. On my 50MY the bridge deck is a piece of solid fiberglass about 1/2 inch thick so I figured it couldn't hurt. Between the Bimini top and the dinghy stowed aft there is not a huge amount of sun exposure to that deck but I felt better having it done. Certainly no adverse effects.

Newer boats have a different appearing bridge deck construction. If there is balsa inside yours you might not need more insulation. No balsa in mine in the center.

 

[Oldlaxer1]

It will help. I have insulted the cabin side gunwhales and ceilings and brought the ac load down considerably.

Also windows are a huge heat load. Both from sunlight and the lack of insulation.

Scott, what insulation did you use?

 

[Boatsb]

In the gunwhales I used a closed cell foam like in a core that I found long ago. It was supposed to be plenum rated for burning safety and it cut noise and temp quite a bit.

In the ceilng I uses a similar product that a buddy found a homo cheepo. Remember the core in the roof adds good insulation to start with so adding an additional inch didn't make it night and day but more worked better

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[jim rosenthal]

Any suggestions on what to put on the windows to try to lessen the heat load coming through them? I heard about a 3M film you could have put on but I never followed up on it.

 

[oscarvan]

I have insulted the cabin side gunwhales and ceilings

Oh, there's so much I can do with that........

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Related...I sealed up every cable chase I could get to and it made a TREMENDOUS improvement.

 

[Boatsb]

On the series 1 41c the cables run outside the salon. In the area under the gunwhales that I previously insulted and foamed in.

 

[Briankinley2004]

Windows are going to be your biggest source of thermal gain. Extra sealing and insulation cant hurt but the large proportion of windows to exposed wall area on a boat have to be the biggest heat loss/gain. Its tacky and redneck but I had a camper exposed to brutal Western coastal sun. My neighbor and I put that foil faced bubble insulation you buy in a roll in the windows. It made all the difference in the world. Of course you can't see out and you look all white trashy but it works. Films and blinds will help as well.

 

[bigbill]

Any suggestions on what to put on the windows to try to lessen the heat load coming through them? I heard about a 3M film you could have put on but I never followed up on it.

Jim, i put the 3m film on my 3 front windshields, wow what a difference, the name is cristaleen, i know that is not spelled correct but at least you know how to say it. it is pretty expensive but for my 58 yachtfish it was worth it when sitting at the helm. i plan to do all of the windows as i replace them

 

[Texastailboard]

Thanks guys. We have the new windows that Broadus at Lookout made for us. With the new furnishings I figured that some insulation would help even with noise. Anyone tried spray foam? Going to looking to multiple options to fill the voids. The comment on sealing all the wire chases makes a lot of sense.