Re: [Paddlewise] Foam Cover Material - none needed

From: Erik/Jane Sprenne <sprenne_at_netnitco.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 00:14:55 -0600
Doug wrote:
> > > Also, does anyone know of a good material to cover foam
with, for creating a better looking finish after cutting and
shaping foam? I'm doing up my wife's (Yvonne's) kayak, and
speaker cloth looks rather water-retentive. < < <

to which Rex replied:
> > Go to Ken Rasmussen's web site at www.kayakfit.com and look
at the photos to see how he uses the 1/16" Dual Density Self
Adhesive Foam sheets. < <

If one is careful with the shaping of the foam , no glued-on
covering is necessary.

I added foam thigh braces to my sea kayak and hip pads to my WW
kayak using grey minicell foam (3" thick, bought from a paddling
shop) and after careful layout, shaping with a 4" low angle
grinder/80 grit medium, and hand sanding with progressively finer
sandpaper, *used a propane torch to melt the surface fuzz of the
minicell*.  A low flame and a quick once-over is all that is
needed to melt the surface of the minicell into a
water-impervious outer layer.

If one needs to add a surface layer for more traction, then IMO,
the foam is not shaped properly.  Besides, gluing any kind of
cover only adds extra weight, doesn't add anything *functional*
to the boat, and provides one more thing to come undone when
least expected.  See Gabriel's site for a picture of my thigh
braces - 7th from the left at the top of
http://www.studiofurniture.com/diary/kayak/outfit/outfit.html#a


my $0.02
Erik Sprenne










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Received on Fri Jan 12 2001 - 22:08:06 PST

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