Ping Pong Balls

I would think more like an explosion in quantity.

"Glenn Ashmore" <gashmore.DeleteThis@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:2pYFb.10091$JD6.9829@lakeread04...
 > You ever lit off a ping pong ball? They are made of celluloid, a
 > mixture of nitrocellulose and champhor. It does not take a lot of heat
 > to set them off and they burn like flash paper. A bilge full would
 > make a pretty spectacular fire.
 >
 > Tailgunner wrote:
  > > Bear with me for a second.
  > >
  > > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
  > > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
  > >
  > > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
  > > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
  > >
  > > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
  > >
  > > --
  > > Tailgunner
  > > BS#232
  > >
  > >
 >
 > --
 > Glenn Ashmore
 >
 > I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
<font color=purple> > there of) at: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.rutuonline.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.rutuonline.com</font</a>>
<font color=purple> > Shameless Commercial Division: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.spade-anchor-us.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.spade-anchor-us.com</font</a>>
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

The US Navy played with this back in the early '60s for ship salvage but
soon switched to pour-in-place foam.

I realize your referring to using pingpong balls for reserve floation.. The
total volume of these balls would not be efficient.. Balls don't stack
efficiently.. Foam is much more efficient.

You mentioned something about the bilges.. Your floation shouldn't be in the
bilge for a couple reasons.. 1) If the boat fills with water and your
reserve bouyancy is low in the bilge, the boat will capsize.. 2) Filling the
bilge with anything eliminates volume where bilge water would normally
accumulate until the pumps can remove it. Without that volume for the water
accumulation, every bucket of water that comes down the hatch accumulates on
the cabin sole or in the lockers. (shallow bilges is another topic).


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Glenn Ashmore wrote:

 > You ever lit off a ping pong ball? They are made of celluloid, a
 > mixture of nitrocellulose and champhor. It does not take a lot of heat
 > to set them off and they burn like flash paper. A bilge full would
 > make a pretty spectacular fire.

Very good point. Surrounding the fuel tank would make for an even better
explosion.

 >
 >
 > Tailgunner wrote:
  > > Bear with me for a second.
  > >
  > > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
  > > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
  > >
  > > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
  > > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
  > >
  > > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
  > >
  > > --
  > > Tailgunner
  > > BS#232
  > >
  > >
 >
 > --
 > Glenn Ashmore
 >
 > I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
<font color=purple> > there of) at: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.rutuonline.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.rutuonline.com</font</a>>
<font color=purple> > Shameless Commercial Division: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.spade-anchor-us.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.spade-anchor-us.com</font</a>><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Yes: Malcom Campbell used it in one of his BlueBirds, trying to break the
world speed record on the water.
I saw the boat with the ping pong balls at the London Boat Show but that was
many years ago.
Right now we have better products like 2 part foam.
To be honest, I did not "see" the ping pong balls, they were inside the
boat.

--
Jacques
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bateau.com" target="_blank">http://www.bateau.com</a>

"Tailgunner" <tailgunner.TakeThisOut@byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote in message
news:3FE84E1D.27CA9302@byteme.nbrigham.com...
 > Bear with me for a second.
 >
 > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
 > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
 >
 > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
 > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
 >
 > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
 >
 > --
 > Tailgunner
 > BS#232
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Tailgunner <tailgunner.RemoveThis@byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote in message news:<3FE84E1D.27CA9302.RemoveThis@byteme.nbrigham.com>...
 > Bear with me for a second.
 >
 > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
 > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
 >
 > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
 > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
 >
 > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?

We had a rather long discussion about a year ago, do a google search.
I think the general concencus was that there are much better, cheaper,
safer, etc.. ways to do this. The "Safety standards for backyard boat
builders":
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.uscg.mil/d8/mso/louisville/WebStuff/comdtpubp16761_3b.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.uscg.mil/d8/mso/louisville/WebStuff/comdtpubp16761_3b.pdf</a>
gives you a good starting place.
Scotty<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Steve wrote:

 > The US Navy played with this back in the early '60s for ship salvage but
 > soon switched to pour-in-place foam.
 >
 > I realize your referring to using pingpong balls for reserve floation.. The
 > total volume of these balls would not be efficient.. Balls don't stack
 > efficiently.. Foam is much more efficient.
 >
 > You mentioned something about the bilges.. Your floation shouldn't be in the
 > bilge for a couple reasons.. 1) If the boat fills with water and your
 > reserve bouyancy is low in the bilge, the boat will capsize.. 2) Filling the
 > bilge with anything eliminates volume where bilge water would normally
 > accumulate until the pumps can remove it. Without that volume for the water
 > accumulation, every bucket of water that comes down the hatch accumulates on
 > the cabin sole or in the lockers. (shallow bilges is another topic).
 >
 > --
 > My opinion and experience. FWIW

I used the word "bilges" more for demonstration than actuality. Should have said
"between decks" perhaps.

I have a '73 Aquasport hull. From what I have seen w/o removing the whole deck,
there is very little floatation at all.

 >
 >
 > Steve
 > s/v Good Intentions

--
Tailgunner
Idiot#1 BS#232
'90 FLSTC "X-Girth" - For Sale
Just cause it's nasty don't mean that it's bad<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

At a dime each, it's cost over $100/ft^3. How about plastic beverage
bottles?

Tailgunner wrote:

 > Bear with me for a second.
 >
 > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
 > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
 >
 > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
 > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
 >
 > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
 >
 > --
 > Tailgunner
 > BS#232<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Jim Conlin wrote:

 > At a dime each, it's cost over $100/ft^3. How about plastic beverage
 > bottles?
 >

I found a place that sells a gross at $20 ($0.07 each). Not much better. I
thought about bottles (free). But the deck would have to be removed to install
them. Next year I am thinking of replacing the deck so maybe. They are
certainly not flammable even with the caps epoxied on.

 >
 > Tailgunner wrote:
 >
  > > Bear with me for a second.
  > >
  > > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
  > > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
  > >
  > > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
  > > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
  > >
  > > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
  > >
  > > --
  > > Tailgunner
  > > BS#232

--
Tailgunner
BS#232<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Tailgunner <tailgunner DeleteThis @byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:



: I found a place that sells a gross at $20 ($0.07 each). Not much better. I
: thought about bottles (free). But the deck would have to be removed to install
: them. Next year I am thinking of replacing the deck so maybe. They are
: certainly not flammable even with the caps epoxied on.


One has to wonder what happens to the bottles if you put them in
during a chilly spring day, and then the seasons change and it's a 95
degree Summer day.

Or vice versa....if you put them in on a hot day, what happens in
September or October. Do the bottles crush some? Does that imact
flotation?


--- Gregg
"Improvise, adapt, overcome."
gregg DeleteThis @head-cfa.harvard.edu
Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Phone: (617) 496-1558
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Gregg Germain wrote:

 > Tailgunner <tailgunner.RemoveThis@byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:
 >
 > : I found a place that sells a gross at $20 ($0.07 each). Not much better. I
 > : thought about bottles (free). But the deck would have to be removed to install
 > : them. Next year I am thinking of replacing the deck so maybe. They are
 > : certainly not flammable even with the caps epoxied on.
 >
 > One has to wonder what happens to the bottles if you put them in
 > during a chilly spring day, and then the seasons change and it's a 95
 > degree Summer day.
 >
 > Or vice versa....if you put them in on a hot day, what happens in
 > September or October. Do the bottles crush some? Does that imact
 > flotation?

Gregg, you're just paying too much attention.

I honestly don't think it would be that much of a change. Maybe if they were in
direct sunlight they "might" expand. Tell you what, I'll ask one of our scientists
here at work (WHOI) and see what they think and report back.


 >
 >
 > --- Gregg
 > "Improvise, adapt, overcome."
 > gregg.RemoveThis@head-cfa.harvard.edu
 > Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
 > Phone: (617) 496-1558
 >

--
Tailgunner<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Tailgunner <tailgunner.RemoveThis@byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:


: Gregg Germain wrote:

:> Tailgunner <tailgunner.RemoveThis@byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:
:>
:> : I found a place that sells a gross at $20 ($0.07 each). Not much better. I
:> : thought about bottles (free). But the deck would have to be removed to install
:> : them. Next year I am thinking of replacing the deck so maybe. They are
:> : certainly not flammable even with the caps epoxied on.
:>
:> One has to wonder what happens to the bottles if you put them in
:> during a chilly spring day, and then the seasons change and it's a 95
:> degree Summer day.
:>
:> Or vice versa....if you put them in on a hot day, what happens in
:> September or October. Do the bottles crush some? Does that imact
:> flotation?

: Gregg, you're just paying too much attention.

Well you might be right about that ;^)


: I honestly don't think it would be that much of a change. Maybe if they were in
: direct sunlight they "might" expand. Tell you what, I'll ask one of our scientists
: here at work (WHOI) and see what they think and report back.

I only ask because I've seen closed, empty plastic bottles puff up in the
sunlight.



:>
:>
:> --- Gregg
:> "Improvise, adapt, overcome."
:> gregg.RemoveThis@head-cfa.harvard.edu
:> Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
:> Phone: (617) 496-1558
:>

: --
: Tailgunner




--


--- Gregg
"Improvise, adapt, overcome."
gregg.RemoveThis@head-cfa.harvard.edu
Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Phone: (617) 496-1558
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Tailgunner wrote:

 > Bear with me for a second.
 >
 > I have been hearing about people using ping pong balls for floatation.
 > However, I can't find anyone who has actually done it.
 >
 > It makes sense in that it will allow water to flow and not trap water in
 > the bilge. They should last a while and certainly easy to install.
 >
 > Anyone have any first hand knowledge of doing this?
 >
 > --
 > Tailgunner
 > BS#232

Why not use soda bottles? Not as flammable, cheaper(if you want to go to the
recycling center) and will flow water just as well.


--

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls 

Try taking a plastic down to 100' under water then filling it with air
from your regulator and closing the cap. It certainly does 'puff up'
when you return it to the surface. BTW - So does a diver if they forget
to exhale on the way up 8-(

If I have an empty bottle in the back seat over a winter's night I can
hear it cracking as the car heats up and the air inside expands.

Pirate_Dave
--
In article <3fe8871b RemoveThis @cfanews.cfa.harvard.edu>, Gregg Germain wrote:
 > Tailgunner <tailgunner RemoveThis @byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:
 >
 >
 >: Gregg Germain wrote:
 >
 >:> Tailgunner <tailgunner RemoveThis @byteme.nbrigham.com> wrote:
 >:>
 >:> : I found a place that sells a gross at $20 ($0.07 each). Not much better. I
 >:> : thought about bottles (free). But the deck would have to be removed to install
 >:> : them. Next year I am thinking of replacing the deck so maybe. They are
 >:> : certainly not flammable even with the caps epoxied on.
 >:>
 >:> One has to wonder what happens to the bottles if you put them in
 >:> during a chilly spring day, and then the seasons change and it's a 95
 >:> degree Summer day.
 >:>
 >:> Or vice versa....if you put them in on a hot day, what happens in
 >:> September or October. Do the bottles crush some? Does that imact
 >:> flotation?
 >
 >: Gregg, you're just paying too much attention.
 >
 > Well you might be right about that ;^)
 >
 >
 >: I honestly don't think it would be that much of a change. Maybe if they were in
 >: direct sunlight they "might" expand. Tell you what, I'll ask one of our scientists
 >: here at work (WHOI) and see what they think and report back.
 >
 > I only ask because I've seen closed, empty plastic bottles puff up in the
 > sunlight.
 >
 >
 >
 >:>
 >:>
 >:> --- Gregg
 >:> "Improvise, adapt, overcome."
 >:> gregg RemoveThis @head-cfa.harvard.edu
 >:> Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
 >:> Phone: (617) 496-1558
 >:>
 >
 >: --
 >: Tailgunner
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Ping Pong Balls