Does a pad add volume ?

[lee]

Maybe a couple of ltrs?
I weighed a foam pad. @2.2 lbs
1/4 " thick x 72"x18"  1/4 cubic ft??total?
Has anyone measured this .Or have a good guess
Thanks

[exiled]

Technically, yes it does. But if you're board is sunk enough for it to matter you are in trouble anyway.

[colas]

I may be wrong but I think I remember that a 5mm pad adds around 5 liters floatation

a good guess would be to know the density of the foam. At 120g / liter for instance, your 1kg pad would mean 8 litres (but the weight of the glue & back paper should be removed the 1kg figrue)

[bigdom]

technically it would add volume but unless your board is underwater
it wont make a difference to the waterline - in fact you will be floating a bit
lower due to the increased weight from the pad

volume quotes can be deceptive - a big domed deck adds volume
but makes no difference since it is above the waterline

[lee]

I agree with all of the above.
The 5 ltrs sounds plausible.
I guess the  extra volume would be effective in rough (white water) conditions?
 

[pdxmike]

technically it would add volume but unless your board is underwater
it wont make a difference to the waterline - in fact you will be floating a bit
lower due to the increased weight from the pad

volume quotes can be deceptive - a big domed deck adds volume
but makes no difference since it is above the waterline

That's an interesting observation that I hadn't really thought much about before.  If you stood on your board in the water, and started gluing pieces of foam onto the deck, you'd increase volume, but wouldn't change how the board floats.  Or, if instead you took a knife out and started cutting pieces out of the top of your deck, that wouldn't make you sink lower even though the volume was reduced.  A higher percentage of the board would be below water, but not more volume of it.

Adding the foam would make it harder to push the entire board underwater, and removing it would make it easier, but otherwise would it matter?   Or, imagine if you took a recessed-deck board out on the water, then came back in and filled the recess with foam.  When you went back out in the water, your feet would be up higher, and there'd be more volume above the water, but the volume below the water (the displacement) would be the same.

[dietlin]

canoeists put foam in the bow and stern of their boats.  Less space for water to be taken on into, and increased buoyancy in rough water.

[lee]

So does anyone know if the 3M peel and stick will work on new startouch.?
Abrade lighty and apply?

[colas]

Well, on surf SUPs, the pad is often underwater (on takeoff, with chop), and may come into action when rolling to the side to help a bit recovering...

On the subject of pads, the kick pad at the tail slows down the board a lot (like having 2 more leashes), especially on takeoff. You may want tot not use them on longboard shapes for inatnce.

[motopilot]

So does anyone know if the 3M peel and stick will work on new startouch.?
Abrade lighty and apply?

I have put a Dakine tract top Tailpad on one and no problems.  Would be guessing that the 3M peel n stick is the same.  Should be fine.

[lee]

I guess if the pad were heavier than the board by volume it would affect whether or not it would help??
I'm Going to pad both of my boards to protect from dents and comfort.
I'll just keep telling myself that it helps float !