Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Carbon Fibre for building a Kayak

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic17312.aspx

By ClarissaWard1 - 5/23/2015 3:13:52 PM

Hi all, 

I'm currently at college doing A levels and for my next year project I was going to make a Kayak... talk about setting my aims high.

I've been looking and the matting available here and am completely lost on what to choose, is the heavier the g/m the better for a kayak? Or how about the non directional matting? I really have no idea!

Also for moulds... I was thinking about building one from thick sheets of MDF laid up and cut to form a mould, but I'd like to know of any better ideas? Thanks so much!

Kind Regards, 
Clarissa
By panda - 5/23/2015 8:58:46 PM

All depends on the type of kayak as said. I have built a fair few kayaks over the last few years. Depending on where you are we could show you some of the molds we have and use and how to build them with little effort. If not o will post up some of the pictures of the boat builds. 

You will learn that kayaks are built in an unconventional way compared to a lot of other Composite parts as they are also built to be light and strong. Most racing boats are built with 2x 200g layers and some type of core. More reinforcement around the seat and ends. 

Tom