[Paddlewise] Kevlar vs. Full Carbon Fiber?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Chopelas" <pac_at_premier1.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 3:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] [PaddleWise] Kevlar vs. Full Carbon Fiber?


> It sounds like this company does not know that much about the materials
they
> are dealing with (which is no surprise).  The three most common composite
> fibers are glass, kevlar and carbon fiber.

<SNIP>

Peter, you make some interesting points, and it sounds as if you know your
stuff.  I'd be interested in your opinions on a couple of things.
How do you feel about homemade wooden kayaks, in which two layers of
fiberglass are separated by a thin layer (1/4") of wood?  Does the small
separation between fiberglass layers add anything in terms of strength or
stiffness, compared with two layers epoxied directly to each other?
I have a stitch and glue boat made of 4mm okoume plywood.  The plywood adds
quite a bit of strength, so there isn't that much fiberglass - a layer on
the outside of the hull, a layer inside the hull in the cockpit, and
fiberglass tape on the inside of the hull seams.
I'm presently building a strip boat.  I didn't do such a perfect job of
joining the strips together as I might, so I question the structural
integrity of the wooden shell.  However, I'm counting on a layer of 6 oz.
glass inside and out to make it strong.
On another topic - paddles - the kayak is for my wife, who has fibromyalgia,
which affects her forearms, wrists, and hands more than anything else.
Therefore, lightness and "ease of paddling" are paramount.  I'm thinking a
short (220cm?), small bladed (Little Dipper), small shafted paddle made of
the lightest material possible - carbon fiber - is the way to go.  How
durable will such a paddle be?  Hopefully, some of her paddling will be done
on the open ocean here on the central coast of California, but I don't see
her doing any rock-gardening, or surfing.

> Peter Chopelas, PE, BSME
>
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