Re: [Paddlewise] Heavy Brittish Heavy

From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 05:41:53 -0800
Gerald Foodman wrote:
> 
> I saw a British boat up close for the first time.  ...
> You would have to be governor of Minnesota to lift it.
> 
> Will someone please mail some Kevlar to England.

It's my understanding that there are a couple of reasons that British
boats tend to be on the heavy side. First, relative to most North
American boats, British boats tend to be constructed with additional
layers of glass and/or kevlar. (Yes, the Brits have Kevlar, as well as
other modern materials.) These heavier layups (which can be ordered as
an option on most North American boats--at additional expense) make for
a more robust boat. Second, British boats tend to have excess resin in
the layup. Unlike the first point, this adds weight but not strength.
The excess resin may be due in part to the fact that they are generally
laid up by hand (as opposed to vacuum bagged). This may be changing. I
understand that NDK, for example, is investing in new technology. 

Dan Hagen
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Received on Fri Apr 02 1999 - 05:44:00 PST

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