Kevlar Pearl

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Jim Dodd
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Location: Iowa

Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

I know its a little sacrilegious on this site, but here's a couple pics of my Kevlar copy of my cedar strip Pearl.Image Image

This is my second Kevlar. I can't wait for The Watco to dry, so I can put it to water.

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Cruiser
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Location: Bowmanville, Ontario

Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Cruiser »

Very pretty ... do you have any pics or general description how you did that ... maybe a future project for me.


Brian
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Jim Dodd
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Location: Iowa

Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Thanks Brian, but even I have a hard time calling a Kevlar hull pretty !

I didn't know if the Kevlar build would be suitable here.

There is a thread on another site.

If you go to, <https://www.canoetripping.net> look into forums and look under paddlecraft construction. I have a thread there, Kevlar Pearl. Plenty of pics.

It was exciting to build. My method is similar to James Moran's book Building a Kevlar canoe.
The big difference was I used a stripper, instead of a foam plug that he destroys. I also use 1/8" cedar instead of foam in the bottom. Fun build ! It's at least 10# lighter than the stripper.


Jim
Last edited by Jim Dodd on Sat Sep 05, 2015 5:45 am, edited 2 times in total.
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Cruiser
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Location: Bowmanville, Ontario

Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Cruiser »

Thanks for the info Jim, very interesting, makes me think about trying this




Brian
Morecowbell
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Morecowbell »

Jim,

That is VERY interesting - thanks for posting! :applause
How would you compare the cost of the two methods?

Clay
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Jim Dodd
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Thanks Clay
Without going through my figures closely .
I'd guess the Kevlar cost at about $400 more. I machine my own strips, for my strippers, which is a BIG cost saving !
If you where to buy your strips, and compare the cost. I'd say you could build a Kevlar for considerably less than a stripper.

Certainly less than a commercial Kevlar canoe.

Again I'd have to check my figures.

As for time, I thought I could build the Kevlar faster, but in reality, I think it took longer.

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Jim Dodd
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Two more picsImage Image
She handles great.

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Jim Dodd
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Friend stopped by today, so I put him in the Pearl, that was the mold for the Kevlar.Image Image

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Jim Dodd
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Since I built my Kevlar Pearl in 2015, I've built two more Composite solos.
In Both of these I used a cedar strip insert.
My last ( Black Pearl). I cut the strips for the insert at 1/8". This was quite a weight savings. The hull is 16' long, and weighs in at 36 1/2 #.
This is going to get a lot of water time, and a shot at the BWCA this Fall.
Here's some pics. I also included Vader, a Kevlar/ Carbon copy of my Nokomis. 16' 4" .
First Vader, and Nokomis the stripper I used as the mold.

Image

Image

Finally Black Pearl

Image

Image

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
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Cruiser
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Cruiser »

Nice work as always Jim, do you find that the composites handle any differently from the wood?

Brian
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Jim Dodd
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Jim Dodd »

Thanks Brian !
Handling actually seemed a little more responsive. That could be do to a number of things. For the most part, if I closed my eyes, there wasn't a notable difference ! Just going to and from the truck and water was greatly improved !

I was on the river in it yesterday. Need to get it side by side to my stripper, and get into race mood on some still water ! Often times I enlist Alan Gage for this, but need to wait til his back heals ! !

Hull stiffness seemed just like a stripper, the sides have a little more give.
It's a joy to heft a canoe 10-15# lighter, than I'm used to !

Image

The mold
Image

Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
Snowman
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Re: Kevlar Pearl

Post by Snowman »

Jim,

Very nice!
Snowman back East
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