differences between: Glass-Epoxy-Composite and Fiberglass hulls

[McFarlane]

I think there are some people on this forum who think there gods answer to boat building, there is no bible to which repairs have to be done the same way world wide as for building boats as well, yes there are certain things that have to be done the same way, but everyone is different thats why there is so much competition out there, people work in different climates and with different materials and on different boats.I dont think apex knows there is a different world out there other than his, no disrespect to him but I would say he needs to expand his Knowledge and realise there are other people out there that do this for a living as well.
I have worked for one the best yacht builders in the world ( John McConagy ) and built from 50 ft to 120 ft high performance racing yachts which compete in the Americas cup and round the world races, these yachts are baked in ovens using pre-preg epoxy cloth, carbon and kevlar, I learnt a lot there but i think some people think they know more.
Macka

No comment, in this case I think, is the best comment.

[McFarlane]

:d :d :d :d :d

Originally Posted by McFarlane

Step into the real world apex, gone are the days of building timber boats although i did enjoy building them, its nearly 2010 fibreglass is the way to go, quick to build, easy to repair.

Actually the market shows a trend to the opposite! But how could you know?

[mydauphin]

Rock-Paper-Scissor === Steel-Aluminum-Fiberglass-Wood

The problem with this statement is that;
Not all Steel, AL, Fiberglass or Wood boats are constructed the same...
I have seem some very well built wood ships, and many lousily built Fiberglass ones.
Steel and Aluminum are not affordable by most people but I think they are superior to both Wood and Fiberglass.

A well built built Wood/Epoxy boat has advantages over a pure fiber boat. Being lighter and potentially stronger being one of them. Interesting to remember, Wood does not rot from Sea water, but from rain water. Of course wood worms are another story... I am just saying Rot is not caused by seawater. When I was a kid, I had a wood boat that I would sink every year after summer and come back the next year and refloat it and use it again. It lasted for years. It did get heavy, and the worms got it eventually.

Originally Posted by mydauphin

Rock-Paper-Scissor === Steel-Aluminum-Fiberglass-Wood

I dont know why, but wood epoxy has not hte best reputation in the US. The European world surprisingly knows it as the most desirable (and the most expensive) material for yachtbuilding.
If we compare equal quality and same class. standards, steel is by far the cheapest, followed by polyesther glass (only valid in serial production), then Alu (depending on scantlings a Alu hull can be made as cheap as steel) then wood Epoxy (using high grade timbers and veneers).
Compared by weight poly/glass is the weakest, followed by steel, alu, wood/EP.
A wood/EP hull done to the same weight as a steel hull is several times stronger than the steel one.
In terms of maintenance the wood / EP wins again, although a good prepared steel or Alu hull can be almost maintenance free too.

Well, that is it... well built! Naturally we have to compare apples and apples only.
Regards
Richard

[mydauphin]

Originally Posted by apex1

I dont know why, but wood epoxy has not hte best reputation in the US. The European world surprisingly knows it as the most desirable (and the most expensive) material for yachtbuilding.

I think I actually know answer to that.
It is Arthur Piver's fault. He designed a very successful trimaran made from wood covered in fiberglass and resin. Many were well built and went all over world, many were built by bad amateurs and gave composite boats a bad name. Epoxy and wood composites are still tied to these amateurs mistakes.

[rwatson]

"Compared by weight poly/glass is the weakest, followed by steel, alu, wood/EP."

I dont think that statement "holds water"

I remember hearing some years ago that pound for pound, fibreglass is a lot stronger than steel.

eg 1/18 steel plate = say ..... 25 pounds
25 pounds of fibreglass is a lot, lot stronger. than the eqivalent weight in steel.

you go on to say

"A wood/EP hull done to the same weight as a steel hull is several times stronger than the steel one."

which seems to support that vague memory of mine, and contradict the first point.

Might just be the grammer ........

Also, I dont think wood e/p is necessarily cheaper than steel and aluminium.

My 16 foot strip plank canoe cost around $300 for the wood and epoxy, and over $250 for the paints.

As aluminium doesnt need a paint surface, I have read a few people saying that aluminium workes out the cheapest of all methods.

Steel sure is expensive to coat as well.

[Guest625101138]

Originally Posted by rwatson

.......
My 16 foot strip plank canoe cost around $300 for the wood and epoxy, and over $250 for the paints.

.........

Where do you use the canoe when you want a bit of on-water exercise?

Rick W