Kevlar Hulls
 

I am looking at a couple of cigarettes and plan to pirchase in the next couple of weeks. A number of them that I am looking at are advertised as Kevlar hulls. Is there a sure fire way to be certain that the boat in question is in fact a Kevlar boat. Is there something in the hull identification number?

Thanks Rick G.

Hi Rick
I own a 1995 Top Gun Kevlar .
I can check my HIN if you want .

Paul

I think kevlar is a different color than fiberglass & carbon fiber.

PO told me my Mistress was Kevlar, it wasn't. Link below.


Kevlar Mistress

Thanks Paul any help will be appreciated.

Rick G.

If I remember correctly you can look at a place where the fiberglass is still raw and see some yellow/orange/brown....

If you get a Kevlar one that is great, but I am not sure I would pay a real big premium for one - of course i don't have any first hand knowledge of one....

the Kevlar hulls show as a golden color where the matting is exposed.....they are significantly lighter than the fiberglass hulls

Our Kevlar Top Gun is Very Gold in color, not just green-yellow like regular glass. You can open some floor access panels in the storage lockers and/or head and usually see it. Also sounds like a drum when hitting the side of the boat, rather than a dull thud....Kevlar will sort of make an echo sound.

There is no difference in the HID numbers. Cigarette factory will sometimes help you verify with their build sheets. Most of the 80's and 90's boats with original #3 drives/Zul engines were Kevlar. Most TRS boats and early Bravo boats were regular glass.

As far as weight, Kevlar hulls are probably 400 -750 pounds lighter depending on the particular boat.

What boat/drives are you considering?

Thanks cig i amlooking at either an 85 or 86 flatdeck with the wind screen as opposed to the windshield. One that was advertised as Kevlar is currently a number three boat but I can see where smaller exhaust holes have been filled in , I thought the small thing I am sure this was originally a TRS boat theref ore non -Kevlar. If you have any leads let me know . I am loooking for a hull with or without speedies.
Thanks Rick G.

I just put my 92 kevlar 90 mph model with No.5 SSM up for sale without power. The boat is solid. Numerous hours testing and dialing in, .....she flies straight as an arrow. Had the cover girl cabin but I stripped it...although I still have all the covered panels......business venture renders the need to sell, otherwise she'd go to my heirs......$65

khttp://www.seriousoffshore.com/classifieds/index.php?page=out&id=745

Thanks Donz . Not looking for a race boat, with two young girls12 and 14 . need a cabin. Hope you get your price, might be tough in this market.

Rick G.

CigO's right with the drum thing...hit the hull with the side of your fist up near where the v-berth would be, between the bulkheads....it's got a distinct, and clearly different sound... like a drum...
c

I just lowered the price of my Kevlar gun. I too have 2 small kids (7 & 9) and enjoy the cabin, head & the straight hull. Rides like it's on a rail. Let me know if I can help. The posts above are correct, you do see a yellowing...however i don't believe they are any lighter. I may be wrong..but I think they are stronger...I have no spyder cracks at all...I alwasy assumed it was a benifit of the Kevlar layup

kevlar is yellow or gold where its raw,,, or if there is fiber glass cloth over it the resin has to be epoxy, you can put epoxy over polester resin but can not put poliester resin over epoxy so the resin will be clear or yellow tinted if uv tinted, you know what epoxy looks like its used to covers table or bar some times there are old coins in the resin or photos.. epoxy is clear so it will be yellow if its kevlar or white to yellow if fiberglass cloth is in the lay up....... polester is green or brown the greener the better, I have an old 72 35b and the glass is green as can be and sticky to the touch.. my 20 cid is brown and dry, brown resin is from the bottom of the vat so there is wax in its often called boat yard, green resin is the best first run stuff un waxed dries sticky, epoxy resin is clear unless tinted or uv activated,,, epoxy will never feel sticky...

so look at the color of the raw fabric and you will know what your looking at.... yellow/amber dry to the touch epoxy, green and some times sticky polyester resin, brown and dry to the touch boat yard...

often there is no gelcoat on epoxy boats.. and there painted...