Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 08:15:28 -0800
From: Paul MacIntyre <pfmac@hooked.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: nylon
Erik Grau wrote:
>
> As a recent entrant to the discussion I hope my questions are not
> redundant.
>
> First, I'm concerned about how puncture prone a Baidarka is.
> I'm most likely going to cover it with nylon - so I am most interested
> in experiences using nylon from Dyson. Also, how do the different
> nylon weights hold up relative to each other?
>
> Second, I like to make small mistakes whenever possible. Therefore,
> I am considering building some outriggers first.
> Does anyone have experience sailing with outriggers? Do you need a
> keel? Does anyone have some plans, or a set of offsets?
>
> Erik
Erik,
I was paddeling my boat on S. F. bay and was dropped by a swell on to
a rock. I hit under my butt on the 2nd stringer (counting from the
keel) with a mighty thump and grind as I was moving forward at the time.
The skin was caught between a rock and hard place. This caused a
abrasion of about 2" with a penetration of about 1" by 1\4" in line with
the stringer. Because the nylon is streched tightly across the
stringers, it did not leak very badly and I was able to keep paddeling.
I repaired the damage by stitching the abrasion together and sealing it
with hypalon. It seems the nylon will abrade but not tear. My boat
shows the most wear at the points where the skin crosses the stringers
and keel. I'm considering glueing nylon webbing rub srtips on the #1& 2
stringers as I have on the keel. My boat is a "Dyson" design with
aluminum tubes and 14oz. nylon sealed with neoprene and hypalon. I feel
that it is about as durable as a fiberglass boat.
Paul