just wondering out loud,but in todays sue happy world if you remove some flotation foam in someones boat and it later sinks and someone drowned there is probably a lawer that would love that fight,and also,if you remove the foam and the boat sinks,even if not to the bottom i would think the insurance co would love that excuse so as they don't have to pay any money.i think it may be better to replace it than leave it out,unless it's your personal boat.