Materials for a hard top dodger/bimini

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by ryanonthebeach, Jul 20, 2009.

  1. ryanonthebeach
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 84
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    Location: CA

    ryanonthebeach Junior Member

    Hey all

    I'm designing a hard top dodger for my catamaran.
    I have done a bit of research on materials, but was wondering if any of you have experience working with Last-A-Foam as a core, using hand lay up?

    Is this a good material for hand layup, any gotchas or recommendations, better alternatives?
    weight is very important but I don't have a proper workshop so can't work any complicated lamination process.

    Here's the details of the project design so far -> hard top dodger
     
  2. ryanonthebeach
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 84
    Likes: 6, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 61
    Location: CA

    ryanonthebeach Junior Member

    I guess there are no takers... figured boat builders would know a bit about core sandwich construction, or was my question a bit to lame?

    Looks like I'm going to go for Divinycell T100 6 lb/ft^3 and two layers of 20oz bi-axial cloth, hand lay up, with epoxy. 8 Support beams of 2"x1". Have to support four 120w solar panels which are heavy, 100lb total, that's with the aluminum frames which I intend to remove, don't know how much they weigh without yet. I've updated the hard dodger design.
    Comments would be appreciated.
     
  3. rayaldridge
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: USA

    rayaldridge Senior Member

    You might try on the multihulls forum. I have to tell you, I didn't get a chance to see your dodger because I wasn't willing to put up with the ad that covered the screen. You can put pictures in posts-- there are free pictures servers, and that way you might get a better response.
     

  4. ryanonthebeach
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 84
    Likes: 6, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 61
    Location: CA

    ryanonthebeach Junior Member

    Sorry bout that, forgot to take that down, was getting a lot of comment bots so put that up to stop them, not that it did. I've taken it off.
     
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