17' 0" Freedom
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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
Installation will be easier. If something went wrong, you could simply remove and fix.
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
Hi Randy,
This is looking great (again...).
How did you create the carbon sleeve for gunnels?
This is looking great (again...).
How did you create the carbon sleeve for gunnels?
Snowman back East
- Patricks Dad
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- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
I purchased the carbon sleeve from Soller Composites: https://www.sollercomposites.com/CarbonSleeves.html
- Patricks Dad
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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...
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...
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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
Brian
- Patricks Dad
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
Thanks
It looks ok if you stand back far enough....
It looks ok if you stand back far enough....
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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
Brian
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
I'm curious Randy, how did you trim the Kevlar, at the shear, after the epoxy cured ?
Jim
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
- Patricks Dad
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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.
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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
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
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
- Patricks Dad
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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.
Working on a new yoke now.
Expect total final weight after varnish to be just about 39 pounds.
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
Good looking seats and they are very light.
Do intend on hanging or cleating them?
Brian
Do intend on hanging or cleating them?
Brian
- Patricks Dad
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
- Location: Warrenville, Illinois
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
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.
If they don't hold with just epoxy, I'll add a couple rivets to each.
Re: 17' 0" Freedom
Seats look great Randy.
Did you varnish the cord ?
They should outlast the canoe, without any maintenance.
Jim
Did you varnish the cord ?
They should outlast the canoe, without any maintenance.
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!