Re: [Paddlewise] Breaking Boats

----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Breaking Boats


>
> Correcto-mondo. Though what I really meant was "polyester resin taped (or
> some call it glassed) seams" don't hold up as well as "epoxy taped (or
some
> call it glassed) seams" - IMHO, for boats subject to a lot of abuse. The
> only difference I was attempting to highlight was that epoxy can be a
> better resin to use with the fiberglass tape or matt, as it is stronger.
> There are strong opinions to counter this statement, but for me, having
> re-taped my seams and added outside seams, using epoxy resin, I have a
> confidence in my kayak unparalleled (pardon the pun) in my previous 20
> years of boat abuse.

I completely agree with Doug. Epoxi is so expensive here in Argentina I
never tried it, but I know it´s stronger than polyester resins. I build my
kayaks with a fiberglass taped seams inside and outside. In the first kayaks
I used the woven fiberglass tapes you described ( I suppose ), but they
delaminated with the use. So now I make my own "tape like" cutting slices of
matt and glassing them all together in a chain like distribution along the
joint. They sum 4 layers outside and 6 inside. Never delaminated again, my
own kayak is heavy, 30kg, is 8 years old, has about 6000 miles paddled, some
in heavy rouge seas surfing waves 4m high, landing on stony beaches, etc...
and still report any leackage. But the best test was passed when while
carried with a friend totaly loaded with about 70kg of cargo, it fell of my
shoulder to the concreete floor without suffering any crack.
I laminate both deck and hull alternating twoo 300 denniers matts, one 220
denier weave, one 300 denniers matt, and finnished with one #30 roving
weave. I use isostalic polyester resin and isostalic gelcoat and not bacuum
badged
process.
I should add I don´t build kayaks on a regular basis, they are made under
request, so I don´t have a factory with industrial processes involved to
optimize results. I am more like an artisan.

Any coments or questions will be wellcome. I´m allways willing to learn.

UNIÓN DE KAYAKISTAS DE TRAVESÍA
Fernando López Arbarello
uktkayak_at_uol.com.ar


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