TopSpin80

I'm interested in building a boat the design is 33' and I have a few questions fro you guys about layup and the such. I'm sure more questions will come as I begin to go along, but here are the first set.

I plan to lay out most of my panels as flat and vacuum infuse

I think I am going epoxy- no gell coat and painting

Core-- what are my best options I have heard of nidacore and corecell I know they are PVC foams but what do the numbers on them mean as far as structural

Cloth-- I have heard that there are quite a few layers the outermost being a fine cloth as not to show the heavy lines in the hull. How many layers on outside of core and how many on inside. What weights of cloths are normal?

Some areas are not cored on some boats.... these usually being the keel and such... what areas and how many layers of cloth in these areas.

I plan to document the build on here, but now am just aquiring information.

Ernie

SHARKEY-IMAGES

The numbers you refer to on the core is probably the DENSITY of the core.

Cloth really depends on a lot of factors.
One thing to keep in mind, the core sandwich you want the glass laminate to be as equal as possible on both sides.

Your best bet may be to contact a supplier and get some brochures on the materials you plan to use.
There is way too much to try to cover here.

On my Bullet 130, this was the bottom laminate.
1 layer-3/4 oz chop strand mat (hand laid)
2 layers - 1708 Bi Directional cloth. (17oz cloth + 3/4oz mat)
1-layer - 3/4 oz mat (hand laid)
1/2 inch end grain Balsa Core
2 layers - 1708 Bi Directional cloth. (17oz cloth + 3/4oz mat)
Stringers covered w/2 layers - 1708 Bi Directional cloth

I also built a 22 ft offshore boat with that same lamination back in 1985 and to this day it has no hull failure.
Today's resins and technology in coring have also come along way.
I really like useing Vinyl Ester. It is very flexible, waterproof and great with bonding.

I hope this helps some what....

Good luck TS

glassdave

Hey GG . . . whats up! . . . glad to see your vast expanse of knowledge on here where can i get that shell resin at and what other info do you have? part number? i have a new Ashland supplier down here in toledo. how do you like there products?

resurrected

Chop strand mat uses a binder that is not soluble in epoxy, would that be why you had bond issues?
Can you use kevlar in a layup without vacuum bagging?

RBT

for lamination scheduals look to www.vectorply.com Look at there ultra series of glass.
There engeneers can design you your lamination schedual, all you need to give them are precise measurements and performance expectations.
They are also BIG into infusion. They designed my lamination schedual, it is an infused carbon aramid e-glass lamination, with both balsa and foam core depending on location.
They will also custom stich you a material to meet the design, not use what is arond and make due.

BTW, with Infusion you do not us CSM.

RT

resurrected

Thanks!