Copycat

[RM Anderson]

Well, I have the form in place and sent the specs to the epoxy supplier to get a materials estimate. They suggested that it maybe quite heavy. Their technician will get back to me on Monday with some options. Maybe fewer layers of glass and adding some ribbing to the interior. I've seen fibreglass canoes repaired by adding foam ribs and glassing over them. I'll provide an update when I hear back.View attachment 78784

Scott,
What about wood core to save weight and provide a form for fiberglass. Perhaps the same way a strip built canoe is built. Not to question you but just a thought.
RM

 

[Steve Sanford]

Scott~
I may have lost the thread here, but.....
I make my spray shields with 2 layers of 1708 with 2 mm Coremat in between.

It is much smaller than your hard dodger, but:
1) It is plenty stiff
2) Compared with my canvas dodgers, it is stronger and not at all flexible.
3) My dodgers usually have a single frame (made from EMT).


4) If you need more stiffness, I would add "ribs" inside - from either foam or PVC (half-inch) - milled on the table saw to a trapezoidal section.



Hope this helps!

SJS

 

[Eric Patterson]

Steve

I like the Coremat idea. Laying up all those layers with my first hard dodger took hours. Coremat may save time and weight.

This thread popping back up is timely. A couple weeks ago I started eyeing my Black Brant next to my Broadbill and thought it too needs a dodger. Thomas rarely hunts with me from it anymore since he has his own boat and runs his own schedule. We hunt together but mostly when we are the the hunting property and in one of our blinds. I can now see my Black Brant being used as a one man boat and that lends itself to adding a dodger. Crap, I don't think I have time to squeeze another project in before the season starts!

 

[Scott Gilliland]

Hi Steve. Funny that coremat came up in my searches. I see a version that cross hatches on one surface to allow it to conform to curves. I think that is a good solution. I will wait until I hear from the technician … he’s back on Monday. I suspect he will propose a similar solution

Thanks
Scott

 

[Scott Gilliland]

I've been away for a while and have not made much headway. I mentioned that I contacted a local epoxy supplier where I get some of my supplies. I placed an order and the tech looked the order and thought it would be too heavy. This is what they suggested:

"What we would do is at least 1 layer of MAT 1.5oz / 1 layer of Sphere Core 1mm / 1 layer of MAT 1.5oz
This option would be easier to do with the form you have and would likely be less than your 1/4'' thickness and would be much lighter in weight".

I've asked them for a bit of information on the Sphere Core, I found a little info on the net. It seems it is very pliable and conforms to complex shapes. They made a little sample and included a picture of there 235 lb tech standing on it. I will update as I get more info.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Scott

Do you think it will bend to your form? If you can jump on this project I bet you will be the FIRST PERSON EVER to run a sneak boat with a hard dodger on Lake America. Call Guinness!

 

[Steve Sanford]

I've been away for a while and have not made much headway. I mentioned that I contacted a local epoxy supplier where I get some of my supplies. I placed an order and the tech looked the order and thought it would be too heavy. This is what they suggested:

"What we would do is at least 1 layer of MAT 1.5oz / 1 layer of Sphere Core 1mm / 1 layer of MAT 1.5oz
This option would be easier to do with the form you have and would likely be less than your 1/4'' thickness and would be much lighter in weight".

I've asked them for a bit of information on the Sphere Core, I found a little info on the net. It seems it is very pliable and conforms to complex shapes. They made a little sample and included a picture of there 235 lb tech standing on it. I will update as I get more info.

View attachment 79072

Scott~

VERY interesting! I was at first surprised that they use only mat - no fabric with rovings in it - but then I remembered that MANY 'glass vessels have been built with just CSM (chopped strand mat) sprayed from a chopper gun. All I "know" about the method is that minimizing the resin is key to both strength and light weight.

I look forward to your success!

SJS

 

[Steve Sanford]

Scott

Do you think it will bend to your form? If you can jump on this project I bet you will be the FIRST PERSON EVER to run a sneak boat with a hard dodger on Lake America. Call Guinness!

Eric~

I think you and I had the same misimpression. The yellow "board" upon which that little fellow is standing is the sample - the Sphere Core sheathed with mat both sides. It shows the rigidit that results from the sandwich (as I see on my spray shields).

From what I saw elsewhere on the web, Sphere Core is very similar to the CoreMat I get from US Composites. So, it's a "fabric" that drapes quite readily over most curved shapes.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Eric Patterson]

Steve

I think you are 100% correct. Next layup I do I am going to try Sphere Core or CoreMat. Thanks.