I have heard about kevlar boats destroyed by UV. I was told you could poke a finger through em.. cya > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of > Alex Ferguson > Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 1998 6:01 AM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] & fiberglass > > > > Now for the other topic. We have had numerous comments > > concerning how long a plastic kayak will last. But my craft is > > fiberglass, so naturally one wonders-how long can you expect a > > fiberglass kayak to last? > > I know of one yacht, on a mooring, 35+ years old. > > Your glass kayak could outlast you. > > Alex > -- > ---------------------------------------------------- > Alex Ferguson a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz > Electronics Workshop, Chem Dept, Univ of Canterbury > Christchurch, New Zealand > ************************************************************** > ************* > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > ************************************************************** > ************* > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This is true, Kevlar is susceptible to UV degradation that's why it's a good idea when purchasing Kevlar boats to not get clear finishes. Steve Freund QCC Kayaks / Swift Canoes Canoes and Kayaks Direct (888) SwiftUSA http://www.qualitycomposites.com -----Original Message----- From: Bob Denton [SMTP:BDenton_at_aquagulf.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 1998 4:44 PM To: a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] & fiberglass I have heard about kevlar boats destroyed by UV. I was told you could poke a finger through em.. cya > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of > Alex Ferguson > Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 1998 6:01 AM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] & fiberglass > > > > Now for the other topic. We have had numerous comments > > concerning how long a plastic kayak will last. But my craft is > > fiberglass, so naturally one wonders-how long can you expect a > > fiberglass kayak to last? > > I know of one yacht, on a mooring, 35+ years old. > > Your glass kayak could outlast you. > > Alex > -- > ---------------------------------------------------- > Alex Ferguson a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz > Electronics Workshop, Chem Dept, Univ of Canterbury > Christchurch, New Zealand > ************************************************************** > ************* > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > ************************************************************** > ************* > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If I am not mistaken, the fact that a gelcoat is clear does not affect it's uv properties. Window glass has excellent UV properties and the UV coatings on sunglasses are completely transparent, as is 303. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > If I am not mistaken, the fact that a gelcoat is clear does not affect it's > uv properties. Window glass has excellent UV properties and the UV coatings > on sunglasses are completely transparent, as is 303. > Kevlar boats with clear finishes don't usually have a gelcoat. The cloth is right at the surface. I usually use a UV protector on my canoes once or twice each year, but forgot this year. My Clipper Tripper is 8 years old, no gelcoat, has seen a fair bit of sun & is still in decent shape. -- Lloyd Bowles The Mad Canoeist "Keep the open side up!" http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > > If I am not mistaken, the fact that a gelcoat is clear does not affect it's > uv properties. Window glass has excellent UV properties and the UV coatings > on sunglasses are completely transparent, as is 303. Depends. Stuff that is clear to our eyes may or may not be "clear" to UV. Also, "clear" for UV comes in a range of sizes. So that even a piece of window glass allows SOME UV through. If you are thinking that "98 % opaque to UV" is pretty close to "99% opaque to UV," consider that the former *lets in* TWICE as much UV as the latter does. So, a "clear" gel coat "opaque" to UV (if it is the 98% version), compared to the filled ("unclear") gelcoat (if is is the 99% version), will allow your kayak to die from UV exposure in HALF the time. Filled (pigmented) gel coat must be almost completely opaque to UV (probably at the 99.999% level, I'd guess). I suspect that clear gel coat, even if it has a UV absorber in it, is no more opaque than the 99% level (another guess -- somebody else may have authoritative numbers). Let's see, that would be 1 % divided by .001% -- hmmm -- the filled gel coat would protect your kayak's underlayers for 1000 times longer! Something else to think about: the UV which is absorbed by the gel coat has to dissipate its energy into something -- guess what that something is? Yeah, the gel coat. So, don't be surprised if a boat with a gel coat (clear or unclear) needs to have its gel coat restored if you leave it outside in the sun all year for a couple years. Even my boats show "oxidation" of the gel coat -- and they are stored indoors out of any sunlight all but about 30 days a year. This is where the statement about free lunches goes. -- Dave Kruger 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/ ***************************************************************************
My Kevlar/Carbon Nordkapps have clear gelcoat that is supposed to have "excellent UV properties". To be sure I use 303 monthly and also treat the areas on the inside of the hull that are exposed via the cockpit and hatches. I try to minimize the exposure to the hull just in case Valley's definition of excellent is different from mine. cya > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Lloyd Bowles > Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 4:59 PM > To: Paddlewise (E-mail) > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] & fiberglass > > > > > Bob Denton wrote: > > > If I am not mistaken, the fact that a gelcoat is clear does > not affect it's > > uv properties. Window glass has excellent UV properties and > the UV coatings > > on sunglasses are completely transparent, as is 303. > > > > Kevlar boats with clear finishes don't usually have a > gelcoat. The cloth is > right at the surface. I usually use a UV protector on my > canoes once or twice > each year, but forgot this year. My Clipper Tripper is 8 > years old, no > gelcoat, has seen a fair bit of sun & is still in decent shape. > -- > Lloyd Bowles > The Mad Canoeist > "Keep the open side up!" > http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html > > > ************************************************************** > ************* > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > ************************************************************** > ************* > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Here is a good basic composites dictionary which may be helpful with terminology and definitions as they come up from time to time. http://isl-garnet.uah.edu/Composites/alpha.html by the University of Alabama at Huntsville. It is a dictionary, though and not an encyclopedia, but may be helpful nonetheless. Regards, Steve Freund QCC Kayaks / Swift Canoes Canoes and Kayaks Direct (888) SwiftUSA http://www.qualitycomposites.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Dave Williams wrote: >> What does "isophthalics" mean? >> >> What does "orthophthalics" mean? Geesh! That sounds like something kinky you might try to do with your feet. :-) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:54 PDT