Wise Paddlers: I re-read Doug L's seam improvement article just now (http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/43/seams.html). Doug mentions "adding an exterior and interior keel of UMHW plastic and ash respectively (bolted through the hull)," I am interested in methods of preventing abrasion of the boat keel, and wonder: 1. What is UMHW plastic? 2. Has anyone done anything to prevent abrasion at the high wear areas at bow and stern? 3. What are the best materials for rubbing strips? 4. Has anyone saved information on the helicopter blade tape mentioned some time ago on Paddlewise? Or used it? I belong to the school of paddling which prefers to ram the beach and get out with dry feet, rather than try to get out on the water and get dumped, undignified, by a 6 inch wave in the shallows. So the gel coat suffers. Regards, Peter Treby 37°42'S 145°08'E *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>I am interested in methods of preventing abrasion of the boat keel, and >wonder: >1. What is UMHW plastic? UHMW - ultra high molecular weight plastic, quite slippery, doesn't machine well (fuzzy) though it can be drilled cleanly, and doesn't stick to anything. >2. Has anyone done anything to prevent abrasion at the high wear areas at >bow and stern? We use carborundum filled epoxy, it's like concrete, 2:1 mix and like putting on treacle. The secrets of application are - measure by weight, warm it a little, mask off the area to be covered, "burnish" it on with water wetted (plenty of water) fingers (gloved of course). Also mask off any area that the water will run over otherwise there are white run marks everywhere. >I belong to the school of paddling which prefers to ram the beach and get >out with dry feet, My partner does that with her wooden boat and there are very few scratch marks on the varnish so it does work well. Alex *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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