Comparison carbon fiber vs skin on frame canoe?

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by fairing guy, Feb 15, 2020.

  1. fairing guy
    Joined: Feb 2020
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    fairing guy Junior Member

    Hello,

    Skin on frame has been touted by some as a light weight method of canoe construction.

    How does this method compare to vacuum resin infusion carbon fiber construction?

    How much lighter is one method to the other?

    How much more slower/inefficient is the canoe built using one method other the other?

    I look forward to the answers to these burning questions.
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    What is the objective, ultra light with no compromise, or light but durable enough to survive real life use.
     
  3. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Vacuum resin infusion is a rather complex building method.

    Skin on frame is much simpler.

    Errors in infusion can ruin the entire part. Errors in sof are easily repairable or easier at least.

    learning infusion is also more difficult

    the comparison is really apples and oranges
     
  4. fairing guy
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    fairing guy Junior Member

  5. gonzo
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    gonzo Senior Member

    If the goal is light weight, you should start by getting rid of those huge pipes. The frame and supports are massive. It is hard to find a fairing in that size that is lighter and more rigid than a wooden structure.
     
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  6. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    It looks like a first stage would be sof and then you could go to infusion of carbon.

    for the carbon; you would need to build a plug

    you could probably start on a smaler portion of the shell and work your way up to the whole thing...

    if, for example you have something not in the half shell; you could build that first

    another thought would be to build a shell in 6mm corecell foam; later that could be reinforced and used as a plug
     
  7. fairing guy
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    fairing guy Junior Member

  8. Rumars
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    Rumars Senior Member

    You must compare apples to apples not to oranges. Meaning that total structure weight must be considered. For your first example a light windproof fabric will probably be lighter. Your second example has a choice, replace the geodesic frame with a carbon sandwich shell and it will come out on top. The question becomes what other functions that frame has. If it has to provide impact protection for the rider the whole thing changes again.
     
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  9. fairing guy
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    fairing guy Junior Member

    The fairing is nonstructural. Mounted to an existing frame.
     
  10. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Honestly, I would build a carbon frame and find a way to apply a windproof skin.
     

  11. Rumars
    Joined: Mar 2013
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    Rumars Senior Member

    If the frame stays in place it is impossible for the amateur to replicate in carbon what can be achieved with (high tech) fabrics. Examples:
    Dyneema® Composite Fabric is available in 12g/square meter.
    Silicon, PU or TPU coated (ripstop) nylon begins at around 30 g/sqm.
    Unreinforced PET film can be even lighter then DCF. Just shrinkwrap the bike.
    The downsides of such light fabrics is limited abrasion resistance. "Handle with care" is a must.
     
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