under-floor foam

Contemplating an early SN requiring stringer/floor job. Have read much here.
Question: Why replace the foam? If it is such a problematic issue, why not delete it?
Could flotation be achieved by packing the underside of deck and gunnels?

I would like to see how much flotation water soaked foam actually adds.
I for one did not put foam back in, I'm not really concerned about how much the insurance company is going to pay off on a 30+ year old boat.

I really doubt an insurance adjuster is going to pull up the floor to see how much foam is underneath of it.
They're going to pull it out check to see if all the parts are there motor/tranny etc. do a quick look for an obvious reason why it sunk then write you a big fat check for about $3,500 after they deduct for torn upholstery hours on the meter and what not. That's why I only have liability on my '85 it's not worth paying the extra insurance in case it sinks or you wreck it, you'll be upside down in a hurry compared to what they're going to give you. You'd be better off taking that money and putting it away somewhere and saving it for a down payment on the next one.

I just went through this for a '93 Honda that I had and some lady wrecked into me and totaled it. The car had 350,00 miles on it but it was mechanically sound, I drove it 100 miles round trip to work and home. I had just put a new head on it rotors brakes and drums all the way around and an exhaust and a few other things. I had to fight to try to recover 1/4th the money I just put into it. What they ended up paying me for it would barely cover a good set of tires for my F-250.

Enough of the off topic rant the reason I didn't put the foam back in is 1) I wanted the boat light as possible and 2) the obvious didn't want to trap water under the floor next to all new wood and glass.

Duane gets it, well said.

I believe it was FrankT who had a (waterlogged) foamed boat end up on the bottom.

Yes, one can.
other boats put foam in the very bow, and under the gunnels, and a few strips below the floor strapped in with glass.
Its basically for recovery purposes.

CC chose to cavity fill like a ranger or whaler, to get the 'solid' feel and relative quietness in chop, and look at me, one can cut a hole with a chain saw and it still floats and drives effect, if you're into such things.. Might be handy in a log-ridden river.

my non cc, had to remove some bow foam to make bow storage that was absent in the early models. so, just threw some pool noodles under the new floor. still lets the air circulate, and water drain away, ensures the boat remains recoverable.