RE: [Paddlewise] & fiberglass

From: Hank Hays <lhays_at_canby.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 16:45:00 -0800
Bob Denton, wrote:
>I have heard about kevlar boats destroyed by UV. I was told you could poke a
>finger through em..

I've never seen that, Bob, and I've used Kevlar in boats and paddles for
over 25 years.  There is some surface UV degradation on Kevlar fibers under
clear or no gelcoats, but after that happens it blocks further damage.
More of a problem is that the resin doesn't really stick to the Kevlar
fibers very well.  It encapsulates them, doesn't really bond.  Water can
get between the resin and fibers and cause problems. Unless the boat is
very badly treated (like mine) this isn't usually much of a problem.   I
still think Kevlar is pretty good stuff when used right.  It has some
glaring weaknesses.  

Hank Hays
Lightning Paddles


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Received on Thu Dec 17 1998 - 16:50:20 PST

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