conversion from plywood to fiberglass?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by walkingwarship, May 14, 2015.

  1. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    Would it be possible or wise to change from plywood to a single layer of fiberglass? The ugly stick fishing pole has a semi clear point, would it be possible to use that same thing to make a solid fiberglass hull which would glow at night just from cabin lights? I'm thinking of adding temporary supports like hard plastic sheets between the frame members and laying up fiberglass over it. Would it have be too thick to be luminescent?
     
  2. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    Would gel coat be a good idea still?
     
  3. FAST FRED
    Joined: Oct 2002
    Posts: 4,519
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1009
    Location: Conn in summers , Ortona FL in winter , with big d

    FAST FRED Senior Member

    Any really well done GRP will be translucent .

    The GRP problem is always stiffness.

    Ply wood is fairly stiff , GRP would have to be thicker to match its stiffness.

    Expensive and time consuming and more work as ribs of some sort might be needed.
     
  4. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    That's what I was thinking. Bit it might be worth it. Less boat collisions etc.

    Ribs is a good word...i was thinking stringers... Anyways, sections of glass might work between the layers like bullet proof glass. I would say acrylic, bit GRP,might not adhere, and is expensive.

    [​IMG]

    This is what I'm actually looking at. A few more ribs here and there..

    Sorry so big... Didn't realize
     
  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    There are no ribs in that design, at least in the traditional sense. Those are ring frames, though portions of them could be considered "futtocks" which can be also what "rib" pieces are called.

    The plywood/'glass conversion is a relatively easy thing for a designer and a common request. I perform a number per year. If you want to tackle this set of tasks yourself (I hope you like tedious work, with a calculator), buy Dave Geer's book "Elements of Boat Strength" and work through the conversion process. Most things can be converted; say a stripped hull to 'glass, maybe a plywood hull to aluminum. Often the particular design is best just reworked to suit the new method and/or material choices, so it's not overly heavy or the reverse, but basic conversions are simple enough.
     
  6. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    Tho looks like a hull that will plane right?

    I can post more pictures, but it came from: http://www.boatdesign.net/nyd/P590/

    I want to scale her up, what would be the biggest I should go? Don't care if I must buy a permit to move her. 8 ft wide is trailerable. Might make a trailer that w
    Will tilt her on her side or something though.

    I just got back into the world of sailing ⛵ and I've forgotten much.
     
  7. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I'd like to hear why you want a "translucent" boat ? I'm not "clear" about the possible reasons ! :D
     
  8. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    Reason number one is to minimize risk of collisions at night. Reason two, so she won't be dark inside during cloudy days. I have a problem with sleeping too much and a dark daytime interior doesn't help. Reason number three, it would be cool.
     
  9. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    It actually might not be so "cool" but pretty warm in there on a hot summer day. Hothouse ? Now there's an interesting thought, would it act like a greenhouse ? I think navigation lights, windows, hatches and vents, and an alarm clock should solve most of the "issues". :p
     
  10. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    Yeah, started thinking about that after I posted the first post. However, a full fiberglass hull might be a good thing right? Could she be scaled up enough to be an ocean worthy vessel?
     
  11. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I think you need to specify exactly what the boat's duty is envisaged to be, beside a floating Chinese lantern. :D
     
  12. ImaginaryNumber
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 436
    Likes: 59, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 399
    Location: USA

    ImaginaryNumber Imaginary Member

    Maybe "transparent" would work for you. :D

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I'm tipping the author of this thread wont see this idea through to a finished boat !
     
  14. walkingwarship
    Joined: May 2015
    Posts: 26
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Miami

    walkingwarship Junior Member

    I'm heeling towards that too. I'm homeless and make only about a thousand a month. But if I were able... Transparent would be awesome!!!

    Especially because you could see into the water like a glass bottom boat!
     

  15. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    See one big White Pointer through the bottom of it, and you'll never leave the dock again !
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.