Re: [Paddlewise] Skin on Frame Boats

From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:36:29 -0400
On Sep 13, 2004, at 5:45 PM, Kirk Olsen wrote:

> On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:50:24 -0400, "Nick Schade" <nick_at_guillemot-
> kayaks.com> said:
>> Having dropped several of my strip-built kayaks from eye level and
>> having them bounce I will say that it is not a great indication of
>> strength for surfing and other real-world type forces.
>
> I would suggest modifying your proposed test to using a sling of some
> form instead of the saw horse,...
>
> Then you head into the disagreements like where to put the support
> slings and how wide they are.  Testing your boats I want the support
> bands to be 1/4 inch wide right at the ends, for my boats I'll take a 6
> foot wide strap right under the paddler ;-)

I really don't think the hard point contact of the saw horse would be 
the failure point in most kayaks. I've often found myself stuck on one 
or two rocks with the water going away and just ended up with a bad 
scratch. I think for most boats the initial failure would be near the 
cockpit, not near the supports. Some boats might fail at the hatches. 
As you say, for the worst case scenario the support should be as far 
towards the ends of the boat as possible.
>
> I still believe skin/frame construction per se isn't an issue for surf
> use.

I agree, but for every strong kayak, there is a wave that is a little 
stronger. It is up to the paddler to stay on the safe side of that 
wave.

> It would be interesting to run a test as you propose between plastic,
> skin/frame, fiberglass, plywood, and woodstrip boats having similar
> shapes, and similar weights to see how they hold up.  But I'm not about
> the fund that experiment....

Yea, a good test should bring the sample to failure so you can compare 
the required load. While it would be a great time to perform the 
experiment, I would be seeking funding from outside sources.

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 Mon Sep 13 2004 - 16:36:48 PDT

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