Any lamination experts on the board?
 

I have an 18' cat mold that I'd like to pop a hull out of. The problem is that I need somebody to help me with the lamination schedule. I can guess as good as the next next guy, but that's not what I'm looking for. I have an idea of what materials I'd like to use, what I need is somebody to tell me exactly how much and where. Anybody care to help?

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

That depends on alot of things,
1. $$
2. Weight
3. Resin - Polyester, Vinyl Ester, Epoxy
4. Core - Balsa, Foam
5.Materials - Kevlar, Carbon, S & E glass, etc,etc.
6. Lay-up - Hand Lay-up, V-bagging, Resin Injection
As you can see its not that easy to answer.There are alot of things to consider. Hope i didn't confuse you more.
Butcher

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

Im not a fiberglass expert by any means but I have just built a 33'step vee,well the mold anyway and then I hired the pros to lay it up.
this is how I did it
Wax mold twice, polish
coat with PVA
Gel Coat
Matt with Vinalester Resin
Two units kevlar on keel section(for wear)
Two units of 1808 With Polyester Resin
Corebond with 3/4 Airex foam Vacume baged
Two units 1808 with Poyester Resin

topside same but with 1608 and 1/2 airlite foam

All hand layed up ,this is a lite layup,could be damaged fairly easy ,but not hard to fix.
Good Luck, its not that hard to pull off ,the resin supply company should help point you in the right direction.

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

Sharky is the guy who could give you some guidence on this one. He has built race boats for a living at one time, If he does not see this E mail him.

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

I know what Sharkey's lamination schedule was. He's building a exceptionally strong boat, but I'm looking for a much lighter layup.

Here are the materials I had in mind:
Carbon Fiber for the bulkheads
Kevlar tape
Epoxy resin
Omit gel coat and mat for paint
The hull, deck, stringers and floor will be cored with H8PP
The transom will be a polyurethane foam

AudioFn has suggested I look into vacuum infusion instead of the vacuum bagging. For a single person layup, his advice has some merit. I just need to do some more reading on the topic.

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

For the infusion you will need about a 4"-6" flange around the perimeter of the mold. Infusion is definately the way to go and will give you a stronger finished product and can substantially save weight. Composites One will be having a seminar on the process at IBEX in Miami the week before the Lauderdale boat show, well worth checking out.

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

I think Steve Koss is the man for this and I haven't herd anything about boats from him in a while....

Ernie

Re: Any lamination experts on the board?
 

Same for vacuum bagging. Unfortinatly the mold doesn't have the flange. It won't be hard to add one though. I had figured on doing this when the mold is cleaned up. It'll need a touch of elbow grease before the layup can begin.