Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Making a hole new kayak (surfski)

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic5096.aspx

By staffan_w - 2/28/2013 10:37:56 AM

Hi!
I'm from Sweden and found this really interesting forum just now.
I'm doing a lot of adventure racing and paddling is one of the main parts in competitions.
So, i would really like to make my own kayak, but this one will be like a surfski, something like this;

http://fatpaddler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P1000468.jpg

I have a few questions I hope someone can help me with:
First, I would like to build a boat as light as possible, in carbon fiber / kevlar. How thick should have the hull and deck.
Then I do not know if it is possible to make use of rasin infusion technology or whether to try to vacuum bag. I am puzzled, however, if you have time to wet-laying the entire hull and then on the vacuum bag before the rasin time to solidify.
If one would use rasin infusion, how often you need to outsource distribution tubing to cover the entire hull?
Then I also wonder how best to put together the hull and deck. I saw the movie on kayak repair and which used some form of kevlar tape. Is it the best thing to use or is there something else?
Hm, these issues are perhaps slightly messy but I am so grateful for all the help I can get.
Thanks in advance,
Staffan, Sweden
                                                    
By staffan_w - 3/12/2013 7:11:05 PM

Great, thank's Warren!
I was actually thinking of ordering some mesh anyway, just to be shure that there will be no problems with the infusion. So now, I'm totally shure of ordering mesh!!

Thank you!