Subject: Re: [baidarka] Plastic SOF Ideas / Questions
From: Warwick Carter (wdctr@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu Oct 18 2001 - 12:35:39 EDT
Hi Juan,
There have been some discussions about using PVC pipe on Nick Schade's Kayak
building bulletin board recently. There is quite a bit of good information,
especially on building PVC ribs. The focus is on folders, but the principal
remains the same.
I have experimented a little with PVC - there are different grades of pipe.
I believe it is the waterpipe that is brittle, while the electical conduit
is tough (I live in Sweden, so I have no doubt that this may be different in
the USA)
What has stopped me is that I can get dowel at a similar price, which is
stiffer. I am still planning on using the PVC to make slip together
fittings for the dowel stringers.
Keep us updated on your progress!
Warwick Carter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Juan Ochoa" <jochoa@ll.mit.edu>
To: <baidarka@paddlewise.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 5:18 PM
Subject: [baidarka] Plastic SOF Ideas / Questions
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm thinking about building this winter. I'll probably attempt a Shields
> baidarka. Being an experimenter for a living, I know I won't get it right
the
> first time: Some modifications will be duds; It may not fit well at
first;
> etc. I'm toying with different frame materials to optimize flexibility
and
> assembly.
>
> So in the true Saran Wrap tradition (which still makes me laugh Peter), I
was
> thinking of assembling a temporary, easy-to-make frame to learn my skills
and
> test the design. Something like a plywood bow, stern ,and test ribs,
screwed
> together it what I had in mind. That would be easiest to shape and be
strong
> enough for the initial testing. I'm unsure of the gunwale material right
now.
> The other idea was to use 1/2' PVC pipe or conduit, heat and bend as
needed and
> maybe use the PVC for stringers as well.
>
> The problem with PVC for the final boat is its brittleness. Another
solution to
> maintain a flexible frame would be to use polypropylene or polyethylene
tubing /
> pipe. With a three-piece keelson and the softer frame members, the boat
may have
> sufficient flex to avoid specific joints.
>
> I talked to a fiberglass tube vendor who said it would not be a good frame
> material over time. The material would de-laminate on the side of the
tube in
> tension.
>
>
> What I want to avoid is many hours of work building a beautiful, but
unusable
> kayak. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you all might
have.
> Thanks,
>
>
> Best Regards,
> ______________________________________
> Juan Ochoa
> Quantum Electronics Group
> MIT Lincoln Laboratory
>
> jochoa@ll.mit.edu
> (781) 981-0657
> (781) 981-0602 FAX
>
>
>
>
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