Re: [Paddlewise] if not AL, how about wood?

At 09:28 AM 3/2/2003 -0600, Gordon Snapp wrote:
>From: "John Fereira" <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
>> I'm not sure where you heard that.    I have a friend that built a Coho
>and
>> another that built an Arctic Tern and an Osprey.  All three came with
>> bulkheads, and in fact, the bulkheads are an important piece in how they
>> are constructed.   On the other hand, at least a couple of years ago a
>> forward bulkhead was an extra option on a CLC Northbay (when I built one)
>.
>
>I just checked the Pygmy web site.  They sell a bulkhead and hatch kit for
>$59.  It fits the Ospreys, Coho, Arctic Terns, and Goldeneyes.  I'm assuming
>they wouldn't have to sell this kit if the items came with the boat kits.  I
>also checked out CLC's Northbay page.  It says it comes with bulkheads.
>Perhaps your friends who built those boats opted for the bulkhead kits.

Possibly, but considering that the hatch kit is pretty inexpensive, while
it may not "come with" the Pygmy boats as a standard option,  it's easily
available for a small additional cost.

>When I was considering which boat to build, I know the Pygmies I was looking
>at didn't come with bulkheads in the standard kit, and the CLC boats I
>considered did.

When I built my Northbay the front hatch kit was *not* part of the standard
kit.  Apparently so many people that ordered Northbays opted for the
optional front hatch CLC decided to include it as standard.  


>(And by the way, I'm not saying that Chesapeakes are better.  I actually
>think that Pygmies might be more "serious" kayaks.  

I would suggest that it is the other way around.  The Northbay (20" wide x
18'6" long) is a very serious kayak as is the Patuxent.  I have found that
the Pygmy boats on the other hand are generally more stable and higher
volume, both qualities that one would associate with a model that is a bit
"friendlier" to the less experienced paddler.   When I was looking for a
Greenland style boat to build I compared the Northbay with the Arctic Tern.
 I found the specifications on the Northbay to be much closer in line with
a traditional Greenlanders boat.   A 23" wide beam, as in the Tern would be
considered massive by traditional Greenland standards.


>>Check out Vaclav's page on wood core construction -
>
>>http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Woodcore.htm.  He's talking about strip-built

>>boats, but I think okoume plywood boats are even a little stronger.
>
>> Again, I'm not sure where you came up with that conclusion.    Strip built
>> boats are constructed with a fiberglass-wood core- fiberglass sandwhich
>> whereas stitch-n-glue boats typically only have fiberglass cloth on the
>> hull, or may have some areas where there is cloth on both sides.   The
>> sandwhich construction gives the shell  a great amount of strength.
>
>My statement was based on my assumption that okoume plywood is a little
>stronger than a bunch of cedar (or in my case, redwood) strips held together
>by wood glue.  I don't know that's true, I just think so.  I'd be happy to
>hear definitively from someone who knows. 

Nick Schade's book has some real good information about the strength of the
fiberglass/wood/fiberglass sandwich.    The wood just isnt' going to
separate at the glue joint once it's encapsulated in fiberglass and the
wood core construction compares similarly to an I-beam used in building
construction.

> However, your point is well
>taken.  Strip built kayaks are usually glass inside and out. 

Usually?  I don't think I've ever heard of an instance when they were not
glassed inside and out.


>I just checked the CLC site, and it seems that the Chesapeake models now
>come with fiberglass on the outside of the deck.  This used to be called the
>"Expedition" package, and cost extra.  They now offer an Expedition package
>that includes glass on the inside of the hull.

I think Melissa mentioned that this was how the CLC version of the Arctic
Hawk was supposed to be constructer.  (Come on, Melissa, hurry up and
finish that boat...I want to hear how it handles).



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