Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Javelin Skiff Australia

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic1439.aspx

By Rob Thomas - 4/28/2012 3:00:22 AM

No feedback to the topic below do I need to re word this post?

 

Sent in the below email to easy composites looking for advice on the building of a infusion skiff do any of the staff or others have any advice on the building of a skiff attached two photos to give you some idea of the skiff in question I have also listed the Javelin web look forward to some feedback.

 

Dear Sir /Madam,

 

I am currently looking at building two new Skiff boats.

 

I currently own a Javelin class boat I would like to build another two boats for my kids who are now both sailing the same class as myself.

 

My current boat is a pr-perg Carbon Fibre boat this cost a lot to build as the builder required a oven large enough to put the complete boat in the oven.

 

I have been looking at options of building the next two boats at home. When looking on the web site I found your company.  I have asked local builders why they don’t build the boats using your type of fusion system they tell me that this is due to weight.

 

Looking at your information on site this does not seem to be the case. So I am looking for advise and if you feel that this is a good option.

 

The current boats being built in Australia are done from standard fibre glass with high foam core or Carbon Fibre if built correctly they can be built on weight.

 

I am looking at using your Lantor Soric Infusion core will this be strong enough to take the loads of that come from sailing a high performance skiff.

 

I am currently looking at building a male mould which if this turns out to be a good shape I will look and building a female mould for the building of these two boats I will be using a older boat chopped and cut to get the shape for the new boats this will be the base male mould.

 

This will be a home project that I will be undertaking during the Australian Perth winter.

 

I am familiar  with standard fibre glassing and have built a number of home built boats, so your system is of real interest to me.

 

I have attached a link to the Javelin web site so you have a understanding of the boat I have also listed the length and beam of the boat . I have also put a photo of a completed boat on the email and a attached photo of a boat that is currently being built out of fiber glass with foam core the hull in the photo come out at around 35kg as is in the attached.

 

I will need to purchase a complete system from you do you have an agent in Australia? That I can purchase from if not do you have any issues sending to Australia.

 

At this stage I will build the mould, my first point will be to understand the layup and the size of the core and if you could advise me on what lay up you would recommend as a finished boat. Do you feel that I can build a boat on weight using this system? How does this compare to Carbon Fibre on foam using a vacuum bag system.  The carbon would be the same but does the Lantor Soric Infusion core add much weight as opposed to a good quality foam system? And how does the cost compare.

 

The current building methods used have some issues the foam will delaminate from the carbon very easy My young son raced my boat at Easter in a state championship he won the championship but in the first race had a issue with another boat which damaged both boats you can see the rubbing marks on both boats were the foam has compressed during this small impact.

 

Again if you could help me answer the above questions and let’s see if your system is a viable option if so I would like your support in building the mould and two boats.

 



Maximum Length

4267mm

14'

Maximum Beam

1727mm

5' 8"

Minimum Weight

70kg

150lb

 

 

Web site for more information

 

www.javelins.org

  

Boat above is not a good example as this was built using standard fibre glass with not to many frames due to this it is always being repaired I don’t think this boat will have any longevity.

 

Look forward to your replay your team has a great web site well done.

 

Best Regards

 

Rob Thomas

 

Perth Australia
By Rich (Staff) - 8/28/2012 9:14:12 PM

I can echo the boatdesign.net forums as a useful resource for general and technical boat design and building. The problem with the marine industry in general is the stand off with moving forwards and using new materials and techniques. Your experiences with local boat builders is typical throughout the relative archaic industry-vac bagging is just about common practice but infusion, injection, closed moulding and other more modern techniques are regarded as witchcraft in the marine industry (in general). The response you got of it being heavier as an end product is a simple way of putting you off because of their inexperience.

High end America's cup boats and round the world open 60s see the investment in new techniques and materials and it takes a long time for this to trickle down. We're now seeing it in super yacht building, where sheer size and specifications have dictated stronger, lighter and more efficient construction but it'll be a while before dinghy and small craft manufacturers are confident and competent to take advantage. 

One thing to consider and I don't profess to being a javelin specialist, is any class regulations concerning construction, weight and materials. Is the javelin a single class series over in Australia or are you fleet racing with handicaps? You might find that the build schedule is strict to ensure uniformity of class