Message-Id: <199705301856.OAA02716@mail.gwi.net>
From: "Ron Franklin" <oldhaven@mail.biddeford.com>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 14:59:23 -0500
Subject: Re: FW: Laminated ribs, etc..
On 30 May 97 at 10:46, Todd Schlemmer wrote:
> If you try to duplicate the construction of Dyson's aluminum baidarkas
> in WOOD, I predict dire results.
>
> Aluminum has mechanical properties that lend itself to widely spaced
> framed constuction. Your laminated longitudinals will need to duplicate
> the rigidity of the aluminum tubing, with a huge weight (and size?)
> penalty. Many ribs are necessary for wood longitudinals. You then
> control the lines of the boat by providing adequately support. Exotic
> lamination schemes for longitudinals / framing is no substitute for the
> aluminum tubing called for by the construction methods. A better idea
> would be to use the lines of Dyson's design (with permission - see
> previous thread), with traditional construction and framing.
>
> An idea I wanna try some time is using marine ply for framing with
> aluminum tubing for longitudinals (wait a minute - that's a Folbot!)
>
> HTH
> Todd
Actually I've done both of these things., I puchased a set of plans for one of George's designs, the
triple, and built it with laminated ribs and stringers duplicating the size and number
of ribs and longitudinals in wood instead of aluminum. It worked out just
fine though I reinforced the wood with resin. Too much work and expense for me to try
that again, and I think the original aluminum design is a good way to go, or
traditional construction with thicker, slightly heavier solid wood scantlings. Certainly the
reinforcement I did makes it work better and it would be more fragile without it.
I broke one rib, but it happened on the trailer so I don't count that.
Lamination makes repairs more difficult since that sort of stuff doesn't
grow on trees.
The other is a plywood ribbed, aluminum stringered version of a 1790 Aleut
design, and it is a nice way to put a boat together but not pretty as much
as functional.
They will both be at the New England Gathering if you want to see them ; )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<-----RF------>--------------------------------
Bowdoin, Maine, USA