Re: [Paddlewise] Building a wooden boat

From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:32:11 -0800
Petty much what I've observed too. I think you have to bulk up the chines to 
get the strength similar to the stripper. Pound for pound, the stripper is 
the better boat. The chines on my S&G are so tough, they would not be an 
issue. However, the kayak weight is 55 pounds.

Now a fir plywood kayak - that would be tough.

BTW, Nick. thoughts I shared about strippers were those of others, not my 
own. I still need to see for myself how all this plays out in reality. I 
suspect strippers are not as tough as S&G when the S&G is done right, but 
nor are they as fragile as some paddlers think, especially with respect to 
the curved surface spreading the load. Blunt force protection should be good 
with a stripper. However, like an egg shell, there is a lot of load bearing 
strength, but pierces easily. When I think of kayak abuse, it is always 
puncture resistence I think about (all other aspects of strength and wear 
hopefully addressed by good technique and materials.

Doug Lloyd

>I understand the perception that plywood is tougher than strips,  because 
>in its raw form plywood _is_ tougher than strips. However, I  find my S&G 
>boats get beat up faster than my strip boats. The reason  is, the chines. 
>Any sharp angle is going to end up receiving more wear  and tear. This is 
>why the keel of a standard boat often needs a keel  strip. Imagine a boat 
>with 3 keels and you have hard chined S&G boat.  A stripper can be more 
>rounded, thus spreading out the abuse.
>
> If you put enough glass on the wood to protect it from cutting  through, 
> strips and plywood should be pretty similar. Multi-chines  will also 
> reduce the issue discussed above.
> Nick
>
>
> On Dec 18, 2008, at 10:39 PM, Doug Lloyd wrote:
>
>> Sorry, all my coaching friends don't have a high opinion of strip  built 
>> kayaks, preferring the perceived advantages of plywood. I have  idea for 
>> something in between.
>>
>> If I were racing a go-fast rocket boat, I'd join Kirk with a super  light 
>> C/Fbre stead.
>>
>> Doug Lloyd
>>
>>
>>> It's pretty clear that the ideal boat for  rocks and surf is going  to 
>>> be
>>> made of plastic. The good news is that there are more boats  suitable 
>>> for
>>> this every year. I just hope the economy isn't going to squash the 
>>> people
>>> who are doing this.
>>>
>
> Nick Schade
>
> Guillemot Kayaks
> 54 South Rd
> Groton, CT 06340
> USA
> Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
> http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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Received on Fri Dec 19 2008 - 22:32:18 PST

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