adla Posted April 24, 2004 Posted April 24, 2004 kevlar on the chine this afternoon...i also admit i am a little tiny itty bit bored while the epoxy sets off....i thought it laid down nice. a. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
adla Posted April 25, 2004 Author Posted April 25, 2004 i got all crazy and laid it on the keel too...i have read the objections...but felt like just doin' it.... [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
capt jake Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 I am still totally in awe of your progess and quality workmanship!! :) Keep it comin'! Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 Looks like you had no challenges whatsoever laying the Kevlar tape. It is looking real good! Quote
adla Posted April 25, 2004 Author Posted April 25, 2004 thanks Barry and Jake...i really couldn't be happier with the turn out...going to try and finish up the other side today! Quote
John Kinnane Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 Adla your boat is looking great but I am curious about the kevlar tape. Is it in place of glass tape on the chine or as well. This is the first mention that I have come across of using kevlar and was wondering what the pros and cons are. Quote
adla Posted April 26, 2004 Author Posted April 26, 2004 well John... to tell you the truth, i don't really *know* what the pro's and con's are yet...i have read most of the posts here about the stuff but, the decision to use the kevlar in the place of fiberglass tape was almost completely whimsical. it is supposed to be stronger by far and more difficult to work with. the more difficult to work with part is true but it wasn't all that bad either. it is hard to cut and fuzzes when you sand it...so it is better to try and get a clean cut rather than sand away the little fringy pieces. i did the other side tonight and i am almost ready to prep the bottom (up to the waterline) and paint it... a. Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 John, I'm perhaps the biggest proponent of the use of Kevlar tape on this forum. This comes from sailing and using boats in waters with a lot of rocky beaches and bottoms. The Pacific Northwest has wonderful cruising waters, but not many sandy beaches on the salt. The keels and chines take a beating if you beach a boat in these areas. I've had a bunch of plywood river dory experience as far as repairs and fixing damage. Those with Kevlar on the keel and chines have a lot less issues with damage than those without. Conveniently, Kevlar tape comes in various widths and is a bunch easier to use than Kevlar fabric. This isn't used as a seam re-enforcement but rather as a protection from wear and impacts. Otherwise I recommend only paint or a sacrificial hardwood strip to take the beating. Quote
adla Posted April 26, 2004 Author Posted April 26, 2004 here are a couple of pics... again, i think what Barry is talkin' about helped sway my decision...the two lakes i will primarily "mess about " in are desert RoCKy lakes...in fact Lake Mead is just a damned river (the colorado to be exact) so, aside from the multiple objections to it's difficult nature...i chose to use the kevlar in hopes of hitting many things and not sinking as an immediate result. it wasn't all that bad really and i find it lucky that it kept sliding off the chine while i was fitting it...to keep that from happening i wet out the chine and then put the kevlar on the wet epoxy...after fitting a foot or so, i was able to pull up and place the rest as i went along...this enabled me to eliminate any bunching up on the curve (plus it was fun) and the whole project was pretty painless...i will report back about it's endurance (i am just trying to get the boat in the water)... a. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
MikeStevenson Posted April 26, 2004 Posted April 26, 2004 From our perspective the Kevlar is added as an anti-abrasion layer, not as a strengthening component. The glass alone is strong enough as a maintenance-deferring part, and it does help strengthen things a bit (one layer of cloth is not too much added strength, really.) Kevlar is very resitant to abrasion and cutting. That's its virtue, moreso than adding tensile strenth in the lay-up. That's why the strip on the keel and on the chines: Banging into stuff and scraping. Mike PS. Nice application, by the way. Quote
John Kinnane Posted April 28, 2004 Posted April 28, 2004 Thanks Adla, Barry & Mike. You answered my queries completley. I think from what you say that the kevlar tape on the keel and chines should be almost mandatory. I will be operating from ramps that are mostly concrete and that can be pretty rough on the finish. Thanks again and keep the photos coming Adla. Quote
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