How to Use Foam to Build Bulkheads

The bulkhead in your kayak helps keep it afloat when it swamps. Boat manufacturers use airbags, plastic molded containers or foam for bulkheads. When you have a new kayak, or want to replace the bulkhead on your existing kayak with foam, you need to trim the foam to give it the right fit for the bow of your boat. Learn how to make a bulkhead out of foam for your kayak.

Things You'll Need

  • Block of foam
  • Handsaw
  • Serrated knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the foot pegs from your kayak if it is equipped with them.

    • 2

      Measure the bow of your kayak to get an idea of the rough shape for your bulkhead. Decide how far you want the bulkhead to extend toward the cockpit, and then measure the height and width of the kayak at that point. Measure the distance from that point to the tip of the bow of the kayak. Take the measurements from the inside of the boat.

    • 3

      Cut your foam block with a handsaw to the dimensions you measured. This gives you a rough idea of the size of the bulkhead where it is nearest the cockpit.

    • 4

      Measure the height at the tip of your kayak's bow. Then draw a line the same length in the center of the side of the foam that will be in the tip of the bow.

    • 5

      Cut the foam into a wedge using the line you drew as a guide. Make all of the sides gently arc toward the line in a way that mimics the body of your kayak.

    • 6

      Put the foam bulkhead in the cockpit and push it toward the bow. Observe where it meets resistance from the hull and use the serrated knife to trim the foam at the places where the bulkhead catches. Continue this process until the bulkhead fits into the bow.

    • 7

      Cut thin wedges, or shims, from your scrap foam. Then push them between the foam bulkhead and the hull to secure the bulkhead.