Request for design advice/parameters HDPE

[AartvG]

Hi all,

I am looking for information about building a small 2 person sailing/rowing dory from HDPE. AI-chatbots say it can be done of course but i would like some real world input. Is this doable, does someone have experience doing this or something similar? Explanation for the HDPE: i want to go sailing on the Oosterschelde. It is a smaller seabranch with moderate chop, fairly shallow at some places because of tide banks and mussel/oyster farms. This risk of abrasion made me lean toward something other than plywood (also price). is this solid reasoning? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Aart

Also, i played around al little with the hull design in CAD, images attached. does it look solid or is it missing something?

 

[kach22i]

I love the beautiful simplicity of using a monolithic material, but as I understand it HDPE is heavy, and difficult to bond to, even to itself.

Mind you I'm looking at this though the eyes of someone obsessed with hovercraft where weight is always the enemy. Also as I grow older I realize I'm not as strong as I used to be and fear anything heavy looking (haha).

Divinycell PVC foam core uppers/sides that are bonded and mechanically fastened to a to HDPE lower plane will lower weight, increase payload and allow you to go into shallower water for beaching and so forth all because of increased buoyancy.

I would just make the whole craft out of Divinycell or Coosa Board composite, including the bottom and and just laminate the lower plane/bottom with the thinnest HDPE possible.

I admit that the abrasion resistance and possible impact resistance of a dense HDPE will no longer be available at the lower sides, bow and stern. This may mean that meeting river rocks at speed could have unfortunate results.

Maybe consider a laminated sandwich of lightweight core material and skin the sides and bottom with HDPE is the best of both worlds.

You should run a weight estimate.

I'm guessing the thickness of HDPE required for your design is not only weight prohibitive, but cost prohibitive too.

Best of luck.

 

[AartvG]

I love the beautiful simplicity of using a monolithic material, but as I understand it HDPE is heavy, and difficult to bond to, even to itself.

Mind you I'm looking at this though the eyes of someone obsessed with hovercraft where weight is always the enemy. Also as I grow older I realize I'm not as strong as I used to be and fear anything heavy looking (haha).

Divinycell PVC foam core uppers/sides that are bonded and mechanically fastened to a to HDPE lower plane will lower weight, increase payload and allow you to go into shallower water for beaching and so forth all because of increased buoyancy.

I would just make the whole craft out of Divinycell or Coosa Board composite, including the bottom and and just laminate the lower plane/bottom with the thinnest HDPE possible.

I admit that the abrasion resistance and possible impact resistance of a dense HDPE will no longer be available at the lower sides, bow and stern. This may mean that meeting river rocks at speed could have unfortunate results.

Maybe consider a laminated sandwich of lightweight core material and skin the sides and bottom with HDPE is the best of both worlds.

You should run a weight estimate.

I'm guessing the thickness of HDPE required for your design is not only weight prohibitive, but cost prohibitive too.

Best of luck.

I have never heard of divinycell. Will look into it. Foam core with a thin layer is a good option maybe. The weight would certainly benefit from the foam.

I am going to remodel the dory with its ribs and structure attached, thanks for the reply

 

[montero]

Thread '3 meter HDPE sailing dinghy'

Dec 2, 2024

Hi, i will be uploading pictures of the progress of the building.
The boat is being build entirely in welded HDPE sheets of 15, 8 and 6mm of thickness, mast will be Ø50mm hardware aluminium tube.








Saludos desde Chile.

• Sebastian De La Maza
• dinghy hdpe
• Replies: 34
• Forum: Boat Design

 

[AartvG]

Ah, thanks