Re: [Paddlewise] Autoclaved Carbon Fiber

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 08:43:52 -0500
Olympic race kayaks such as those from Van Duesen are already being 
made of autoclaved carbon fiber with a Nomex (honeycomb) core.  They 
have actually been doing it for years. Their new sprint kayak weighs 14 
lbs. However, this is not a technology I would want for a kayak that 
might hit something. While stiff and strong with distributed loads, 
carbon fiber is brittle in impact and with a very thin skin over the 
Nomex they are susceptible to point load damage.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at 03:32  AM, Doug Lloyd wrote:

> Anyone have info on Necky's new and upcoming carbon fibre sea kayaks?
> Apparently, the company that makes wing tips for the F-16's, has a 
> unique
> process that can render a kayak hull/deck of honeycombed carbon fibre 
> at
> about 3/16" - both stiff and light. The entire kayak is autoclaved. 
> Sounds
> cool. If it works well, perhaps the other manufactures will follow 
> suit.
> Maybe it's been worth waiting all these years for a new boat (not
> necessarily Necky) - Doug Lloyd, going light. That would be different. 
> Don't
> know if Kirk and fellow racers would benefit from this new technology.
>
> Doug Lloyd
> Victoria BC
Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Wed Oct 29 2003 - 05:44:12 PST

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