17' 0" Freedom

[Jim Dodd]

I like your method Randy ! Using plastic as a release barrier, while you wet out the carbon !
Installation will be easier. If something went wrong, you could simply remove and fix.

Jim

[Snowman]

Hi Randy,

This is looking great (again...).

How did you create the carbon sleeve for gunnels?

[Patricks Dad]

I purchased the carbon sleeve from Soller Composites: https://www.sollercomposites.com/CarbonSleeves.html

[Patricks Dad]

I got my gunwales glued on this weekend. Total weight ended up being 2.90 pounds (including .42 pounds of epoxy to glue them on and just under 40 oz for the gunwales themselves (< 20 oz each)

0.75 Foam for gunwales (after rounding edges)
0.80 weight of carbon sleeve for gunwales (44 ft/lb)
0.94 Weight of epoxy for gunwales
0.42 Weight of epoxy to apply gunwales (including fillets)
2.91 Total gunwale weight

I'm thinking of building my seat frames using the same materials...

Here's a pic of my work for the weekend...

[Cruiser]

Looking great Randy, easily the best finish of the home made composites I have seen so far and it looks like you are dialing the weights and techniques required.

Brian

[Patricks Dad]

Thanks

It looks ok if you stand back far enough....

[Cruiser]

Looking at your build makes me itching to get started on my winter build, i borrowed a friends boat and just finished lofting the shape .... now I have a few other projects to complete before I can actually start building.

Brian

[Jim Dodd]

I'm curious Randy, how did you trim the Kevlar, at the shear, after the epoxy cured ?

Jim

[Patricks Dad]

Good question. I have tried a couple different things. I ended using one of those vibrating/oscillating tools. It cuts fairly slowly but gets the job done with a fairly smooth cut.

[Jim Dodd]

I tried several things too.
The back side of a Jig saw blade burned through , but was slow and ugly.

A 4 1/2" Angle grinder with a thin cut off blade has been the best so far. You have to be careful, as it can get away from you !
It's also dusty. Wear good eye protection, and a dust mask ( canister type)

Kevlar has taught me to trim a little better, before wetting out !

Thanks !

Jim

[Patricks Dad]

I tried the thin blade on the angle grinder too. I think the oscillating saw works quite a bit better (and less likely to wander quickly).

[Patricks Dad]

Finished my seats over the holidays. Total weight for both Bow and Stern seats ended up at 1.65 pounds (including varnish and bolts)...





Working on a new yoke now.

Expect total final weight after varnish to be just about 39 pounds.

[Cruiser]

Good looking seats and they are very light.

Do intend on hanging or cleating them?

Brian

[Patricks Dad]

I fabricated cleats out of carbon fiber tape and epoxy (4.5 ounces for 8 of them).





If they don't hold with just epoxy, I'll add a couple rivets to each.

[Jim Dodd]

Seats look great Randy.

Did you varnish the cord ?

They should outlast the canoe, without any maintenance.

Jim