Continuing on the subject of deck reinforcing, I bought a kayak (an Eddyline Calypso) a few years ago that had a rod holder/sailing mount already attached to the deck in front of the cockpit -- however with no reinforcing other than a couple of fender washers under the deck. Despite the wimpy attachment, surprisingly it held up through a few years of sailing until it finally broke away one fateful day, leaving a couple fender washer-sized holes in the deck (but fortunately, fairly easy to patch). Since I'm thoroughly sold on sailing, I plan to reinstall the mount. My question is -- is there any general agreement on the best way? The options I'm considering are: (a) lay down a few layers of fiberglass cloth and resin on the underside to reinforce it, then mount like before (any recommendations for how many layers would be appropriate for this option?); (b) same as above, except use epoxy resin (I hadn't thought of this till I read today's post -- is this a lot stronger?); (c) same as above, except attach (somehow, I imagine with epoxy??) a piece of stainless steel sheet metal (which I already have) to the underside for reinforcement. The problem I see here is that stainless is such a pain to try to mold or cut, and I'm concerned that the bond between the fiberglass of the deck and the stainless steel may weaken in time. (Any comments on this?) (d) same as (c), except substitute aluminum, which I don't have, but would be much easier to work with; or (e) drill a sailing mast-sized hole in the deck, insert some type of sleeve plus gasket through the hole, glue a shallow cup onto the bottom of the boat, then slip the mast through the upper deck hole until the bottom of the mast rests inside the cup. When the sail is not in use, I could put a stopper in the deck hole to keep water out. The problem I have with this option is I don't like the idea of having the mast between by legs while paddling/sailing (it seems like it'd be in the way). I'd appreciate any suggestions! Evan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Evan Dallas wrote: > > My question is -- is there any general agreement on the best way > [to reinforce a deck attachment] ? > The options I'm considering are: > lay down a few layers of fiberglass cloth and resin [snip] us[ing] > epoxy resin Way better than polyester resin. Stronger, less prone to becoming brittle. > (c) same as above, except attach (somehow, I imagine with epoxy??) a piece > of stainless steel sheet metal [to the underside of the deck] If you have the forming skills/tools, this is a good method, but probably overkill for a fishing pole mount. You should avoid encapsulating the stainless -- it requires access to oxygen to remain relatively stain-free. [I know this sounds bogus -- it's a long story.] Snipped the other methods. Aluminum will corrode more rapidly than SS in a marine environment. The "mast step" solution is overkill, also. Use 2 or 3 inch diameter SS washers/plates and reinforce the existing glass with a layer of roving or two before re-drilling the holes for the mount. Probably outlast you. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR chemist *************************************************************************** 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 12:41 PM 28-05-99 -0700, Dave Kruger wrote: ...snipped... >overkill for a fishing pole mount. You should avoid encapsulating the >stainless -- it requires access to oxygen to remain relatively stain-free. ...snipped... > Aluminum will corrode more rapidly than SS in a marine environment. Along those lines, there is a very good book titled "Metal Corrosion in Boats" by Nigel Warren, which has more information than you knew existed about various metals and their use, especially in sea water. It's only about 200 pages, and is well worth the $25 price tag. I'm only part-way through it, but know it will be read several times, and referred to often, before buying equipment or making changes. This information may be old hat for some, but for me, it is very enlightening, especially as the author discusses the metals with details on different alloy grades and numbers, with which uses are best for each grade, and which are suitable or unsuitable for marine use. For those interested, it was published by Sheridan House Inc in 1998; the book's ISBN number is 1-57409-054-2. Regards, Leander Leander_at_worldnet.att.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Evan Dallas wrote >(a) lay down a few layers of fiberglass cloth and resin on the underside >to reinforce it, then mount like before (any recommendations for how many >layers would be appropriate for this option?); >(b) same as above, except use epoxy resin (I hadn't thought of this till I >read today's post -- is this a lot stronger?); I second Dave's opinion on epoxy. If you can get a hold of a marine catalog or visit a marine retailer there is several options of glass cloth thickness. There is fiberglass repair tape out there that has finished selvaged edges and come in widths up to 12". helps makes for a neater job. Catalogs; Defender 1-800-654- 1616 www.DefenderUS.com Boat/US 1-800-937-2628 www.boatus.com West Marine 1-800-538-0775 >(c) same as above, except attach (somehow, I imagine with epoxy??) a piece >of stainless steel sheet metal (which I already have) to the underside for >reinforcement. The problem I see here is that stainless is such a pain to >try to mold or cut, and I'm concerned that the bond between the fiberglass >of the deck and the stainless steel may weaken in time. (Any comments on >this?) >(d) same as (c), except substitute aluminum, which I don't have, but would >be much easier to work with; I would scratch the idea of aluminum if exposed to the salty H2o, the thinner aluminum in particular 16ga and lighter just did not last for me (live and learn). The weight comparison alum verses SS is tempting to use alum, no problem alum will just be another one of those maintenance things. I try to avoid those maintenance things. I would not encapsulate the SS or alum with glass and epoxy. Lets say if you lay-up a 8"x8" piece of glass you may want to then use a 4"x4" piece of SS on top of the glass lay-up. Everything depends on how much shear or pull out is put on your deck, just glass/epoxy and oversize washers might do great. >(e) drill a sailing mast-sized hole in the deck, insert some type of sleeve >plus gasket through the hole, glue a shallow cup onto the bottom of the >boat, then slip the mast through the upper deck hole until the bottom of >the mast rests inside the cup. When the sail is not in use, I could put a >stopper in the deck hole to keep water out. The problem I have with this >option is I don't like the idea of having the mast between by legs while >paddling/sailing (it seems like it'd be in the way). I think this would surly be my last option > Arthur Hebert > >*************************************************************************** >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/ ***************************************************************************
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