Message-Id: <338F54EF.4CA@boi.hp.com>
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 16:30:07 -0600
From: Bill Blohm <bblohm@boi.hp.com>
To: Todd Schlemmer <toddsch@microsoft.com>
Subject: Re: FW: Laminated ribs, etc..
Todd Schlemmer wrote:
>
> I don't question the wisdom of building with wood (so far, I've only
> build wood-frame kayaks, and wooden boats), only building a boat in wood
> by a method created for entirely different materials. I would never
> say it can't be done, but I am a conservative boatbuilder.
I understand. And it's my lack of knowledge that led me to
the questions I asked. I've not yet started this particular
project, and am attempting to milk the collective knowledge
of the list on the issue.
> I don't think the ribs are as big a concern as the unsupported (2+ feet
> in Dyson's design) longitudinals between them. The ribs will form a
> reletively sturdy arch, but the span of longitudinal between ribs could
> flex catastrophically. You could laminate the longitudinals, even
> incorporating some neat stuff like multiple plys of carbon fiber, but
> then you spend more time and money.
Now this is what I hoped to see: the why you didn't think it
would work. I had planned to laminate the longitudinals, using
thicker laminates for (hopefully) greater stiffness between
the ribs. See, I'd thought the ribs would be the problem, not
the longitudinals. I'd expected the ribs would be too flexible
and the longitudals would tighten it all up.
Bill B.