Q about Black Styrofoam you find at the base of the engine bay...

[rockywakes]

Do these pieces that look like black styrofoam actually serve an purpose? I had a bit of an issue with it and the dealer says I don't need to replace it but I just want to make sure

 

[nswillin]

The foam is there to keep you from sinking if it fills with water.

 

[rockywakes]

Are we talking about the same black foam, mine is about as big as a hardback 400 page novel... I doubt it can really help if I'm sinking

 

[Craigmri]

Rocky,

Is the black foam your talking about kinda fastened over a voided space? I have a couple of them on my utopia. My guess is they are baffles to control water should you take on a bunch of it.

Craig

 

[CypherAZ]

reduce noise?

 

[sporsterjoel]

keeps the boat from sinking if it was to take on water.

 

[jjcarter]

Is it there to deflect the fresh air intake and exhaust?

 

[Cerberus]

Do these pieces that look like black styrofoam actually serve an purpose? I had a bit of an issue with it and the dealer says I don't need to replace it but I just want to make sure

Rocky,

can you post pics? I think everyone is trying to nail jello to the wall with these guesses. Personally, in my Speedster 200, there are 2 black styrofoam forms and they 'hold up' my muffler (like a kick stand, as it were, (the Starboard engine's muffler is 'centered' in my boat) and allow it to be secured to the hull to keep it from bouncing around . That is probably the best guess as to your function, but it is just that, a guess.

Hope that helps.
Peter