carbon fibre boats

[Tuff 21]

Hi guys, i really appreciate all the info that this site provides. My question is about carbon fibre boats (performance), anything negative about going with an all carbon fibre boat other than cost. What are some of the positives going with carbon fibre other than the weight loss.

Thanks, Mike

[CUDA]

Nothing negative
What could be better than less weight?

They are Great if you want to go over Niagara Falls...

[JPEROG]

The only negative is that they are so rigid that they can break, there is no flex with carbon. The stiffness will make the running surface hold true so that they are faster and the weight advantage is also there for acceleration and speed. It takes extreme water to break a boat that is designed and built correctly but I have seen it several times and guys that have e-glass or a combination didn't break during the same race. It also shows this same result when boats get together "a little flex makes things forgiving".

Joe

[300x Stoker]

Things don't have to be 100% CF. You can mix and match to get what you're after. I wouldn't say there's no flex. Lots of CF products have plenty of flex. High CF content can be more like window glass. A nick or scratch, it will break there.

[baja200merk]

As far as river boats go my friends with feather weight carbon boats HATE them on the river. Light and stiff would rather a glass boat with a few more lbs. They do win at the drags and its impressive when 4 grown men can stand on a 350lb STV deck. :eek:

[Bodhi]

I agree with the statement jperog about being rigid and faster, but I do not believe this type of lay up to break because of this. Carbon kevlar is lighter stiffer and stronger and I have never heard these breaking unless severe circumstances occur such as a blow over at high speed or perhaps a collision. If you can afford to play in one of these types of boats.....go for it, you'll love the light weight.

[bep078]

My boat is built out of 80% carbon fiber with the other 20% being Kevlar and Glass. Compared to the exact same boat built out of glass, my boat is very rigid and stiff and obviously much ligher. Great for performance but you will feel each and every shock and vibration through the whole boat. Carbon fiber is the most rigid out of the 3 materials and will bend the MOST out of the 3 composites before failing. However, when carbon fiber fails, its will shatter like broken glass as opposed to aramid (Kevlar) which will remain more in tact. It would be wise to use a combination of the 3 materials depending on use and requirements.

Here is a good summary of all 3 composite materials.

http://www.christinedemerchant.com/carbon-kevlar-glass-comparison.html

[AZMIDLYF]

I have also read that a combination of the three types of materials used in different areas on a boat is the best. I'm not sure if it was Hledin or Wright that said it.

[jpf091959]

I have a 2013 22' Daytona, which is a Carbon Fiber-Kevlar layup. From what I saw during construction it had more Carbon Fiber than Kevlar, (if I go by the material color). Here is the killer, Bob Leach told me the bare hull weighed 960 pounds, sounds kind of light, but I like it.

[noli]

A great video


http://youtube.com/watch?v=4r8vqB4vpQEto

[JPEROG]

I have also read that a combination of the three types of materials used in different areas on a boat is the best. I'm not sure if it was Hledin or Wright that said it.

Both of them will tell you that. If you guys want to see an all carbon boat that breaks due to the lack of flex, come to the first race in Cocoa Beach, Michigan or Key West. I have seen them break and seen them being repaired afterwards.

Joe

[AZMIDLYF]

The XCat Victory hulls are carbon..340576

What hulls in Cocoa Beach will be? If I wasn't 2300 miles away I would be there in a heart beat. :nonod: