Slippery coating for cassette rudder

Discussion in 'Materials' started by CrazyRU, Oct 27, 2013.

  1. CrazyRU
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    CrazyRU Junior Member

    Hello, gentlemen. This is CrazyRussian from the Watertribe Fame.
    I'm in process of finalizing of design of my next Ultimate Florida Challenge boat.
    I'm trying to find info on all possible solutions of making a foil slide into slot easily. In and out :)
    These will be cassette type rudders, going into carbon fiber cassettes molded of the blade. I know about carpet and Velcro route, however I start thinking about Teflon film or some sort of Teflon resin or any other permanent slippery coating.
    Basically, what I want is get a blade, apply a release coat on it, apply a film or a resin of slippery nature, lay carbon fiber on top of it and vacuum bag hell out of it.
    And, viola, I have a rudder pupping up with ease. and case looks like my new kitchen frying pans inside. Rudders will be operated remotely from a distance via lines, very much like a rudder on Randy Smyth trimaran.
    Any ideas or pointers will be greatly appreciated.

    Ok, if my idea from a distant future, I got used to it already. Tell me how to glue velcro then.

    Thanks
    Vladimir
     
  2. Stumble
    Joined: Oct 2008
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    Stumble Senior Member

    I like UHMW blocks for rudder cassettes. Low friction, dimensionally stable, and pretty much impervious to anything it will see on a boat.
     
  3. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Epoxy mixed with graphite powder produces a low friction ,paint on , surface.

    Commonly used on sliding hatch runners.

    Plastic is also slippery. I use delrin skids on a dingy, rib, launching pad.

    Works well.

    Carefull with plastics..they swell in warm seawater.

    Perhaps do some googling for advesive backed Uhmw films. I believe they are used in industrial applications
     
  4. CrazyRU
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    CrazyRU Junior Member

    Thanks for the graphite idea, I forgot about it.
    Technically speaking I can add sheaves/rollers at the ends of the cassette but I was thinking about something easy to build with minimum work, time is running short. Plastic is out of question, the boat must be very light, every gram is counted.
     
  5. tom28571
    Joined: Dec 2001
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    tom28571 Senior Member

    Hi Crazy,

    Graham had the B&B messabout this week end and I was looking at two EC winners there today, the EC22 and Allan's CS20. Given your weight restrictions, I suspect the graphite would be hard to beat for a cassette. I use felt for daggerboards that hold the DB in place while allowing it to be adjusted under load. If you lock the rudder in position with your adjustment mechanism, a slippery coating like graphite should work well.
     
  6. Stumble
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    Stumble Senior Member

    Since weight is so critical, and I am guessing durability isn't a primary concern... What about spray adhesive and graphite powder? I can't say I have used it, but I would guess it would last a regatta.
     
  7. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    The spray teflon that you buy at a marine store is very slippery but not long lasting.
     
  8. CrazyRU
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    CrazyRU Junior Member

    I will be carrying a can of Sailcote - teflon spray.. Regatta is one month long and 1200 miles long :)
    I guess I can settle with graphite coating on both rudder and case. Being able to raise boards up and lower them without delay somewhat crucial for the success of adventure :)
    Any other ideas? I just found slippery paint. http://www.ecologicalcoatings.com/frictionreduction.html
     
  9. El_Guero

    El_Guero Previous Member

    Zdrasvitsya!

    I have never met a 'sane' Russian.

    :)

    Good luck!

    Wayne
     

  10. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I've used Teflon sheets with success. They can be bonded to the cassette sides with epoxy, if you "carmilize" (torch waving thingie) the surface first. The thin sheets don't last long (couple of seasons of hard sailing), compared to other techniques, but they don't weigh anything and for your race application . . .
     
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