I have an old tin boat with a full width bench seat just ahead of the transome. It is filled with styrofoam - obviously for floatation. Would there be a problem with removing this and putting in some batteries - either legal or common sense? I'm thinking that the foam is there in case the boat sinks but it doesn't appear as though it would be very effective if the old barge should go down. Does it really serve a purpose other than to reassure the buyer?
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"An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes." Sun Tzu
It take very little foam to keep a tinner a float actually. I would advise against removing it. It could save your life.
If there is room behind the last bench and the transom - that might be a good place for the batteries.
Alternately - you could place them near the front (build a box) for a clean look and a place to mount a couple rod holders, fish-finders on a ram mount (to face any direction you want, etc....
I actually just did this myself. Removed my middle bench and replaced it with a simple wooden 2 x 10 so I can fit my gas tank and battery under the bench. Makes a huge difference for space in the boat but if it were to capsize I am likely pulling it up off the bottom of the lake.
You can do it if you replace the foam somewhere else in the boat. I've seen guys make floor boards and put a layer of foam under the floor. I wouldn't take the foam out without replacing it though, as it is engineered to keep the boat floating. When they manufacture boats they calculate how much foam is needed, so it will infact keep it afloat.
Check out tinboats.net, its got tons of threads about this type of thing.
Look for some closed cell foam and make a couple of sponsons like on the sportspal canoe this will more then replace the foam and act as bumper for boat side.
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