100% Foam Collar - It can handle whatever you come across.
A lot of people see our boats and think that the collar around the boat is filled with air. It is not their fault, because most manufactures that put collars on their boats use air. Under low pressure, the air is put into bladders which are usually glued and sometimes mechanically fastened to the hull. Because of their inherent loss of flotation and stability if the collar were cut or ruptured they are required by the USCG to be segmented into multiple chambers so that if one fails, the boat won’t lose too much buoyancy. The concept works and has been a staple for many years in certain applications.
But the USCG for the past 15 years has found a better technology, Foam Collars. They have found that they are more durable, remove the concern of puncturing or losing air, add more stability and are easier to repair or service.
Life Proof Boats was founded under the principle of giving the recreational industry the safest platform we can. That is why we are a little obsessed with Foam. Just to be clear this is not the foam you find protecting your new TV when you pull it out of the box, or the two part mixed foams that other manufactures inject below their decks. Those foams hold water. Even the foams you have been told are closed cell and are injected under the decks of other builders will hold water over time. They are only closed cell at first formation when rigid. Over time as the boat stresses and shutters with stress as it is used, the foam cells crack and open allowing water to enter them. They also are not as resilient to fossil fuels or nitro methane products as the foams we use. We use closed cell polyethylene foam.
FAST
Here at IMS, we are working on new collar technologies that will advance the industry. We have established a brand around this technology called FAST. It stands for Foam Air Stabilized Technologies. Our new foam, air, or foam/air hybrid collar systems are revolutionizing the industry. Mated with our patented collar attachment and installation systems, installation, removal, or repair of the collar will be smooth and easy. FAST has the ability to provide 100% foam, 100% air, or foam/air hybrid systems with any ratio of foam or air depending on your application. Our system also allows you to change the ratio of air to foam in the future by simply changing out the air bladder.
Check out the video.
