Dave, >For building a fiberglass kayak, I was wondering what the different methods >are for joining a hull to a deck. I am only familiar with the whitewater >seam-tape method. I've been told that you can build up the two halves where >they join and then merely epoxy them together. That doesn't seem too strong >to me. Maybe it is if you don't hit rocks. It won't be strong enough. Especially if you've been following the recent roof rack thread with the multi-rope cinch downs and such <grin>. I've heard of seam methods other than the standard sand and apply seam tape (inside and outside is best), but I have yet to see one that I'd trust. Some manufacturers are reportedly now using an H channel with the deck and hull glued into each side of it with good(?) results. I've not seen a boat made like this, so am not sure of it's lasting integrity. Might be worth checking out, but then can you find a source for the H-channel required? I'd be interested in hearing any alternatives that you do run across. Hank Hays ex fiberglass boat builder *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:39 AM 11/29/98 -0800, Hank Hays wrote: >Dave, > >>For building a fiberglass kayak, I was wondering what the different methods >>are for joining a hull to a deck. I am only familiar with the whitewater >>seam-tape method. I've been told that you can build up the two halves where >>they join and then merely epoxy them together. That doesn't seem too strong >>to me. Maybe it is if you don't hit rocks. > >It won't be strong enough. Especially if you've been following the recent >roof rack thread with the multi-rope cinch downs and such <grin>. I've >heard of seam methods other than the standard sand and apply seam tape >(inside and outside is best), but I have yet to see one that I'd trust. >Some manufacturers are reportedly now using an H channel with the deck and >hull glued into each side of it with good(?) results. I've not seen a boat >made like this, so am not sure of it's lasting integrity. Might be worth >checking out, but then can you find a source for the H-channel required? >I'd be interested in hearing any alternatives that you do run across. > >Hank Hays >ex fiberglass boat builder > The best way I have seen is to over lap the seam. | || || / | | kinda like that. I know my art work isn't as good as jackie's but I try Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Hank Hays wrote: > > (Seacanoe) Dave, > > >For building a fiberglass kayak, I was wondering what the different methods > >are for joining a hull to a deck. I am only familiar with the whitewater > >seam-tape method. I've been told that you can build up the two halves where > >they join and then merely epoxy them together. That doesn't seem too strong > >to me. Maybe it is if you don't hit rocks. > > It won't be strong enough. Especially if you've been following the recent > roof rack thread with the multi-rope cinch downs and such <grin>. I can add my "yowsa" to that. I had an old Eddyline Wind Dancer which somebody had oilcanned in surf, separating the *four-inch* internal fiberglas/polyester resin seam tape which joined the hull and deck, throughout most of the cockpit region. They guy had apparently taken a straight-off line on a 6-foot dumping wave, and pearled. His companion (don't know the brand of yak, or its seam joint method) also separated hull and deck. Once restored (dirty, nasty job) with new tape and resin, it was solid again. The cockpit coaming/deck joint was another matter, however. Took me a couple times to get that right. BTW, if you do this, use epoxy, not polyester resin. Nicer to work with, and stronger/more pliable. Good luck with the repair, Dave. -- Dave Kruger (different Dave) Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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